U.S. Exporters Laud China Tariff Reprieve, but Scars Remain
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China said it will extend the suspension of a 24% retaliatory tariff on certain U.S. goods for another year, providing a partial reprieve for American exporters battered by a trade war that escalated earlier this year.
Beijing’s decision, announced by the State Council’s Customs Tariff Commission on Nov. 5, followed a recent warming of relations highlighted by a top leadership meeting on Oct. 30. While the 24% tariff is on hold, a 10% duty remains in place. China will also drop retaliatory tariffs of 10% to 15% on U.S. agricultural products, including chicken and soybeans starting Nov. 10. The tariff volley began in early 2025 after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a series of new levies on Chinese goods, which prompted Chinese counter-tariffs. A deal in May paused the conflict, which has now been extended.
The tariff truce offers a crucial, albeit temporary, reprieve for U.S. businesses targeting the Chinese market, highlighting the deep economic entanglement between the two superpowers even amid intense geopolitical rivalry.
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- China extended suspension of a 24% retaliatory tariff on some U.S. goods for another year and dropped 10%-15% tariffs on U.S. agricultural products like soybeans and chicken.
- U.S. soybean exports to China fell from 22.13 million tons in 2024 to 16.8 million tons in the first nine months of 2025; China pledged to buy at least 25 million tons annually from 2026-2028.
- Trade instability has forced U.S. firms to absorb costs or reroute supply chains; long-term business expectations remain uncertain.
- Dynamite
- Dynamite (达曼动物营养公司) is an animal nutrition producer. Its Asia-Pacific director, Xu Ruwei, stated that shipments for April and May contracts were halted due to trade tensions. Xu noted that price-sensitive products like feed additives were particularly affected, making it difficult to regain customers once they switch suppliers.
- Multipure
- Multipure, a U.S.-based water filter maker, has been impacted by trade tensions between the U.S. and China. To maintain its market presence, the company has absorbed the tariffs on its products, which has led to reduced profits. This illustrates how some American companies are managing the financial burden of the trade war to continue operating in the Chinese market.
- dōTERRA
- dōTERRA, an essential oil brand, responded to the trade tensions by rerouting its supply chain. To bypass the tariffs, the company began supplying its Chinese customers from a factory in Ireland instead of the U.S. This strategy allowed them to circumvent the duties imposed during the trade dispute.
- Sealed Air
- **Sealed Air** is an American packaging firm with factories in China. According to Tao Yu, their Greater China senior marketing and communications manager, the company experienced limited impact from the trade war. However, they continue to import some materials from the U.S. and are actively exploring alternative sourcing from Europe and Southeast Asia.
- Anderson Northwest
- Anderson Northwest, a U.S. legume company, was mentioned in the article. At the expo, they received almost no new orders this year, and a $5 million deal from the previous year was still incomplete due to the trade tensions. Despite these challenges, Anderson Northwest reportedly maintains confidence in the Chinese market.
- Last year (2024)：
- At the China International Import Expo, U.S. legume company Anderson Northwest signed a $5 million deal that as of 2025, remains incomplete.
- Early 2025：
- The tariff volley began after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a series of new levies on Chinese goods, prompting counter-tariffs by China.
- March 2025：
- China imposed retaliatory tariffs, causing its soybean purchases to shift dramatically from the U.S. to South America.
- April 2025 and May 2025：
- Contracts for shipments by Dynamite were signed but subsequently halted due to trade tensions.
- May 2025：
- A deal was reached to pause the trade conflict between the U.S. and China.
- First nine months of 2025：
- China’s soybean imports from the U.S. fell to 16.8 million tons, less than 20% of the U.S.'s total soybean exports to China.
- October 30, 2025：
- A top leadership meeting took place between U.S. and Chinese leaders.
- After October 2025：
- Shipments of animal nutrition products for contracts signed in April and May resumed after a meeting between Xi and Trump.
- November 1, 2025：
- The White House announced China’s commitment to buy at least 12 million tons of U.S. soybeans in the last two months of 2025, and at least 25 million tons annually from 2026 to 2028.
- As of early November 2025：
- At the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, American businesses discussed the impact of the trade war.
- November 5, 2025：
- China's State Council’s Customs Tariff Commission announced the extension of the suspension of a 24% retaliatory tariff on certain U.S. goods for another year.
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