# US-China Deal Cuts Tariffs on $60B Goods, Rare Earths Unresolved

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/us-china-deal-cuts-tariffs-on-60b-goods-rare-earths-unresolved
- Published: 2026-09-28T13:08:11.332459+00:00
- Topics: trade, tariffs, china, trump-administration, economy

## What the left says
- The deal offers modest relief for consumers facing inflation on goods like small appliances, toys, and holiday decorations, but the scale of the cuts remains small relative to the broader trade war Trump initiated in 2025.
- The unresolved rare earths issue exposes a structural vulnerability in U.S. supply chains that tariff rollbacks alone cannot fix, raising questions about whether the administration has a coherent long-term industrial strategy.
- China's coal purchase commitment revives fossil fuel demand at a moment when climate advocates argue trade diplomacy should instead be steering markets toward cleaner energy sources.
- The lack of finalized tariff rates and vague language on critical minerals suggests the announcement may be more symbolic than substantive, prioritizing a photo-op summit over durable policy.

## What the right says
- The agreement represents a tangible, negotiated de-escalation of a trade conflict that Trump initiated to hold China accountable on fentanyl and unfair trade practices, showing that tough tariffs can produce leverage and results.
- Reopening Chinese markets to American agricultural products, seafood, wood, cosmetics, and medical devices directly benefits U.S. exporters and farmers who suffered under retaliatory tariffs.
- The new U.S.-China Board of Trade and coal import commitments demonstrate a durable institutional framework for managing the relationship, not just a one-off gesture.
- Continuing to press China on rare earths rather than settling for a quick concession shows the administration is holding firm on the issue most critical to U.S. manufacturing and national security.

## Common ground
- The U.S. and China each agreed to lower tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods, totaling $60 billion in reciprocal reductions.
- The deal followed a three-day summit in Washington between President Trump and President Xi Jinping.
- Rare earths and critical mineral supply chains remain unresolved and are described as an ongoing area of negotiation.
- China committed to importing 10 million metric tons of U.S. coal in both 2027 and 2028.

## Sources
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/policy/international/6114572-trump-xi-us-china-trade-deal-30-for-30-lesser-tariffs/) (Center)
- [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/26/us-china-tariffs-trade-30-billion) (Lean Left)
- [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-china-strike-deal-lower-tariffs-30b-goods-trump-xi-washington-summit) (Right)
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6112947-donald-trump-xi-jinping-tariffs/) (Center)
- [Washington Times](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/26/us-china-agree-reduce-tariffs-goods-xi-visit/) (Right)
- [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/28/business/china-us-summit-tariffs.html) (Lean Left)

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