US-China Trade Truce Extended to Jan 10 During State Visit

The U.S. and China extended their trade truce to January 10, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday. The previous deal was set to expire in November.

Bessent made the announcement on Fox News while Xi Jinping began a state visit in Washington. The visit runs through Friday. The extension keeps tariffs lower for a longer period.

Extension follows earlier South Korea agreement

Leaders agreed to a one-year truce at a meeting in South Korea last October. That deal was scheduled to end in November. Bessent noted that Beijing must fulfill more deliverables now.

Observers expected a six-month extension before this week's summit. The actual extension to January 10 falls short of that expectation. Chinese state media did not immediately report Bessent's comments.

Diplomatic meetings precede presidential arrival

Bessent met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York before Xi arrived. They discussed creating an alert system for artificial intelligence incidents. This work happened ahead of the main summit.

Footage showed President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump meeting Xi and his wife. The video focused on children presenting bouquets to the leaders. It did not show the two heads of state shaking hands.

Trade dynamics remain central focus

The truce aims to keep rare earths flowing between the two nations. Tariff levels remain lower under the current agreement. The extension provides additional time for negotiations to proceed.

Bessent emphasized the need for Beijing to meet specific obligations. The deal's future depends on these deliverables being completed. The state visit continues to shape the bilateral relationship.