# Will the U.S. or China announce additional tariff reductions or new tariff exclusions on specified bilateral goods?

Canonical URL: https://preseen.com/reports/ad4aea6a-92f2-4283-af03-57245fc161ca/will-the-u-s-or-china-announce-additional-tariff-reductions-or-new-tariff-exclus
Markdown URL: https://preseen.com/reports/ad4aea6a-92f2-4283-af03-57245fc161ca/markdown

## Forecast

P(Yes): 61.6%; P(No): 38.4%.

Generated: September 18, 2026 at 3:51 PM UTC
Forecast model: gpt-5.6-sol
Research model: gpt-5.6-sol

## Analysis

## TL;DR

I assign a **61.6%** conditional chance of YES. The tariff track is real: the two governments are selecting non-sensitive goods, and Bloomberg reports that the September meetings are likely to produce lower duties on Chinese manufacturing inputs, with U.S. farm and energy goods also in play ([USTR](https://www.ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2026/september/ambassador-greer-joins-ft-news-briefing-podcast-financial-times-aime-williams); [Bloomberg](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tariff-news/us-china-discuss-cutting-some-tariffs-as-leaders-prepare-to-meet)). ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tariff-news/us-china-discuss-cutting-some-tariffs-as-leaders-prepare-to-meet?utm_source=openai)) The main NO path is a summit that delivers only a truce extension, purchases, non-tariff access, or a tariff statement too vague or too close to the May framework to count as new relief.

## Context

The live workstream began after the May 2026 Beijing summit. China said the sides had agreed in principle to a reciprocal tariff-reduction framework covering at least $30 billion of goods per side, with selected goods potentially receiving MFN treatment or lower, but it also said the teams still had to settle the specific arrangements ([MOFCOM](https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/syxwfb/art/2026/art_3e89743a8d5d4a95bccdda685830afbd.html)). USTR then asked which products should receive lower tariffs, generally at the HS eight-digit level; comments closed July 10 and rebuttals July 27 ([Federal Register](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/05/2026-11291/request-for-comments-on-the-scope-and-operation-of-a-mechanism-to-promote-reciprocal-managed-trade)). ([mofcom.gov.cn](https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/syxwfb/art/2026/art_3e89743a8d5d4a95bccdda685830afbd.html?utm_source=openai))

At the September 18 cutoff, the package was active but unfinished. MOFCOM said on September 10 that consultations were under way and aimed at early implementation; on September 17, asked directly whether products had been settled, it said only that the teams remained in close contact and would release progress later ([September 10 briefing](https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/xwfbzt/2026/swbzklxxwfbh2026n9y10r/index.html); [September 17 briefing](https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/xwfbzt/2026/swbzklxxwfbh2026n9y17r/index.html)). ([mofcom.gov.cn](https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/xwfbzt/2026/swbzklxxwfbh2026n9y10r/index.html))

## Evidence

The closest strict reference class is the full set of in-person Trump-Xi meetings since the bilateral tariff war began:

| Meeting | Outcome under these rules |
|---|---|
| [Buenos Aires, December 1, 2018](https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-regarding-presidents-working-dinner-china/) | NO. The U.S. kept an existing 10% tariff and postponed a planned rise to 25%. |
| [Osaka, June 29, 2019](https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-press-conference-osaka-japan/) | NO. Trump held off on new tariffs but said existing tariffs would not be lifted. |
| [Busan, October 30, 2025](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/11/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-strikes-deal-on-economic-and-trade-relations-with-china/) | YES. The U.S. committed to remove 10 percentage points from the fentanyl-related tariff, and China suspended specified retaliatory tariffs. |
| [Beijing, May 2026](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-historic-deals-with-china-delivering-for-american-workers-farmers-and-industry/) | NO. The summit created the Board of Trade and produced purchases and market-access steps, but the U.S. readout announced no definite new tariff cut. |

That is a strict base rate of **1 YES in 4 meetings, or 25% (N=4)**. The sample is tiny, but its lesson is clear: these summits usually produce pauses, purchases, and negotiating structures rather than reductions in tariffs already being collected. ([trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov](https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-regarding-presidents-working-dinner-china/))

The current case is stronger than that base rate. USTR said on September 9 that it was actively identifying non-sensitive goods with China, after a formal product consultation had already closed ([USTR](https://www.ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2026/september/ambassador-greer-joins-ft-news-briefing-podcast-financial-times-aime-williams)). Bloomberg then reported that the next week's meetings were likely to yield an agreement cutting duties on Chinese manufacturing inputs, while farm and energy tariff cuts were also being discussed ([Bloomberg](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tariff-news/us-china-discuss-cutting-some-tariffs-as-leaders-prepare-to-meet)). Reuters separately reported that analysts expected agricultural waivers and identified corn and sorghum as plausible candidates; it also said energy tariffs could enter the same $30 billion package ([Reuters](https://www.marketscreener.com/news/what-commodity-markets-can-expect-from-the-trump-xi-summit-ce785bd3d081f620)). ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tariff-news/us-china-discuss-cutting-some-tariffs-as-leaders-prepare-to-meet?utm_source=openai))

The negative evidence is also direct. The September 17 Chinese answer did not say the list was complete. Greer's clearest public preview emphasized agriculture and agricultural non-tariff barriers, which can produce a successful-looking summit without any qualifying tariff action ([Reuters](https://www.investing.com/news/economic-indicators/greer-says-agriculture-nontariff-barrier-announcements-likely-during-xi-visit-4888673)). The U.S. is also reported to be preserving a separate threat of new excess-capacity tariffs until after the summit. I read this as mixed: it protects the diplomatic runway but keeps escalation live ([Bloomberg](https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/us-said-hold-off-tariffs-062302179.html)). ([finance.yahoo.com](https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/us-said-hold-off-tariffs-062302179.html?utm_source=openai))

Timing is less restrictive than it first appears. The [2025 Busan fact sheet](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/11/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-strikes-deal-on-economic-and-trade-relations-with-china/) was published two calendar days after the leaders met, the same length as this question's post-meeting window, and the resolution does not require customs implementation by the deadline. ([whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/11/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-strikes-deal-on-economic-and-trade-relations-with-china/))

My event tree assigns a 72% chance that the main Board-of-Trade tariff package is officially announced in the window. Conditional on such an announcement, I assign an 82% chance that it is definite, identifies goods or sectors, and is judged new enough to qualify. If the main package is absent, I assign a 9% chance of a separate one-sided exclusion, waiver, or reduction. The calculation is 0.72 × 0.82 + 0.28 × 0.09 = 0.6156.

## What's non-obvious

The hard part is not whether the summit produces tariff-positive headlines. It is whether the announcement is new under the resolution text. China's May account used fairly strong language: the sides had agreed in principle to reciprocal reductions. But USTR's later notice treated the tariff changes as potential and said they would occur only if the arrangement were successfully negotiated ([MOFCOM](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/News/SpokesmansRemarks/art/2026/art_5d1f3fbf16354a48918f83ea41d714b4.html); [Federal Register](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/05/2026-11291/request-for-comments-on-the-scope-and-operation-of-a-mechanism-to-promote-reciprocal-managed-trade)). I read a first definite commitment naming covered sectors and tariff treatment as new relief, not mere confirmation. I still keep a material discount for a stricter ruling that calls it implementation of the May framework. ([mofcom.gov.cn](https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/syxwfb/art/2026/art_3e89743a8d5d4a95bccdda685830afbd.html?utm_source=openai))

The other trap is that the easiest summit wins do not count. A truce extension, more soybean or Boeing purchases, food-facility approvals, rare-earth licenses, or protection from tariffs that have not yet been imposed can all generate positive headlines while resolving NO. This makes the forecast lower than the chance of a broadly successful trade summit.

## Uncertainties

No public source had a final product annex, tariff rates, effective date, or signed text by the cutoff. Private negotiating documents may be far more advanced than the public record, so the absence of a published list is not evidence that no list exists. The final weekend talks between Scott Bessent and He Lifeng are the largest near-term information gap because they can either close the product basket or reveal that the sides remain at framework stage ([Bloomberg](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tariff-news/us-china-discuss-cutting-some-tariffs-as-leaders-prepare-to-meet)). ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tariff-news/us-china-discuss-cutting-some-tariffs-as-leaders-prepare-to-meet?utm_source=openai))

The other gap is interpretive. The cleanest YES text would name existing additional duties, the goods or sectors receiving relief, and a definite new rate, suspension, or exclusion. A statement that merely operationalizes the Board, protects goods from possible future tariffs, or promises to finish a list later would fail. Those wording choices account for most of the distance between a near-70% chance of some tariff package and the final 61.6% forecast.

## Sources

- Domain Expert Search (mcp)
  > Found 12 domain experts for 'U.S.-China trade policy, tariffs, Trump-Xi summits, and interpretation of official tariff announcements':
- China Mofcom (mcp)
  > Found 15 announcements (total available: 981):
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2025/art_0dd87cbee7b045bf93fabe6ab2faceee.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2021/art_994a1a3a69b8427fa75be1d0a89dcdc8.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2021/art_f47febb76da64411b8de1845aeba4af4.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2020/art_26e3c471536d443c944d60c91bacaf9a.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2020/art_f51a8baf43b54dc2af247c62d447224d.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2020/art_6285848fd977462bbde37723f697c19d.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2020/art_80fb50993ff44cefb306a2e795ccc259.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2020/art_4095c97edd6d4e37987bea482b26b264.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2019/art_b956d5653d4841e5a8247203917a501c.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2019/art_0d2fed29fbf443728259502bb685c1cb.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2019/art_7067368fbe5d49629751306919a23506.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2019/art_4d49e6ac12174de78542651a0d665c20.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2019/art_966f74b6e5744b189d2953be9551c489.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2019/art_0375eebfc6d249ceb9761a15a6cebe05.html) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/Policies/AnnouncementsOrders/art/2019/art_af3f919e9e9a42aeaf2738501b1ac04b.html) (tool)
- us Tariffs (mcp)
  > CBP CSMS search (country='China', start_date=2026-08-01, end_date=2026-09-18)
- Federalregister (mcp)
  > Federal Register Search Results (as of 2026-09-18)
- [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/14/2026-16603/introduction-to-the-unified-agenda-of-federal-regulatory-and-deregulatory-actions-2026) (tool)
- [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/04/2026-15833/medicare-program-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment-systems-for-acute-care-hospitals-ipps-and) (tool)
- [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/31/2026-15585/requirements-for-interference-tolerant-radio-altimeter-systems) (tool)
- [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/12/2026-11854/prediction-markets-public-interest-determinations) (tool)
- [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/02/2026-17925/notice-of-conforming-amendments-to-product-exclusions-chinas-acts-policies-and-practices-related-to) (tool)
- [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/28/2026-15181/notice-of-actions-in-section-301-investigations-of-acts-policies-and-practices-of-various-economies) (tool)
- [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/20/2026-14542/notice-of-action-brazils-acts-policies-and-practices-related-to-digital-trade-and-electronic-payment) (tool)
- [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/24/2026-12669/indefinite-suspension-of-the-de-minimis-exemption-for-mail-shipments-and-new-postal-informal-entry) (tool)
- Domain Expert Research Task (mcp)
  > Job domain_expert_research_task_8c53a67dd6 done after 756185ms.
- [govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/19/2417) (tool)
- [Federal Register :: Request for Comments on the Scope and Operation of a Mechanism To Promote Reciprocal Managed Trade With China](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/05/2026-11291/request-for-comments-on-the-scope-and-operation-of-a-mechanism-to-promote-reciprocal-managed-trade) (openai)
- [ustr.gov](https://www.ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/search) (tool)
- [mof.gov.cn](https://www.mof.gov.cn/en/Policies/202509/t20250919_3972678.htm) (tool)
- [mof.gov.cn](https://www.mof.gov.cn/jrttts/202404/t20240429_3933790.htm) (tool)
- [everycrsreport.com](https://www.everycrsreport.com/files/2026-08-26_IF10119_bfba79f00af0bb03f262d60a229f45c74b9a5e5e.html) (tool)
- [public-inspection.federalregister.gov](https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-21671.pdf) (tool)
- [ustr.gov](https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/2025/Extending%20Exclusions%20to%20Nov%202026%20-%20Final%20FRN%20for%20Posting.pdf) (openai)
- [Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Secures Historic Deals with China, Delivering for American Workers, Farmers, and Industry – The White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-historic-deals-with-china-delivering-for-american-workers-farmers-and-industry) (openai)
- [english.www.gov.cn](https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202605/20/content_WS6a0d3a5ac6d00ca5f9a0b1d1.html) (tool)
- [ustr.gov](https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2026/may/president-trumps-state-visit-china-delivers-historic-deals-and-greater-market-access-american) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/News/PressConference/art/2026/art_eaf9411e9da344d69d9e6d30245d2531.html) (tool)
- [investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/beijing-seeks-opinions-on-planned-chinaus-tariff-cuts-on-30-billion-in-trade-4807918) (tool)
- [english.mofcom.gov.cn](https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/News) (tool)
- [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/06/2026-08806/initiation-of-second-four-year-review-process-chinas-acts-policies-and-practices-related-to) (tool)
- [date.nager.at](https://date.nager.at/api/v3/PublicHolidays/2026/US) (tool)
- [votingdays.house.gov](https://votingdays.house.gov/voting-days.ics) (tool)
- [senate.gov](https://www.senate.gov/legislative/2026_schedule.xml) (tool)
- [ustr.gov](https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/reports/2025/2024USTRReportCongressonChinaWTOCompliance.pdf) (tool)
- [ustr.gov](https://www.ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2024/may/ustr-issues-federal-register-notice-section-301-proposed-tariff-modifications-and-machinery) (tool)
- [bloomberg.com](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-15/china-and-us-discuss-cutting-tariffs-on-agriculture-and-energy?srnd=phx-politics) (tool)
- [bloomberg.com](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-09-16/us-and-china-trade-truce-and-tariffs) (tool)

## Question Details

This question asks whether, conditional on the September 24, 2026 meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping taking place, either the United States or China will officially announce a qualifying summit-linked tariff reduction, tariff suspension, or new tariff exclusion or exemption during the meeting or by September 26, 2026 at 23:59 America/New_York time. The measure must be identified in an official summit readout, joint statement, or government announcement as an outcome of the meeting or its associated negotiations. The forecast concerns new relief relative to measures already announced before the September 24 meeting; pure extensions or renewals of existing relief are outside scope. The affected goods may be identified by product description, sector, product category, tariff classification, or as all imports from the other country; individually enumerated tariff lines are not required.

### Resolution Criteria

This question is conditional on the September 24, 2026 Trump-Xi meeting taking place. If that meeting does not take place, the question will be annulled rather than resolve NO. If the meeting takes place, resolve YES if, during the meeting or afterward through September 26, 2026 at 23:59 America/New_York time, either government officially announces a definite commitment to (1) reduce or newly suspend an existing tariff or tariff surcharge on goods imported from the other country, or (2) introduce a new tariff exclusion or exemption, including expanding an existing exclusion or exemption to additional goods. Action by either country is sufficient; reciprocal action is not required. The affected goods must be objectively identifiable through product descriptions, sectors, product categories, tariff classifications, or equivalent criteria. A measure applying to all goods imported from the other country also qualifies. The announcement must be identified by an official summit readout, joint statement, or authoritative government announcement as an outcome of the September 24 meeting or its associated negotiations; unrelated tariff actions do not qualify. Measures are compared against those already announced before the meeting. Repeating, implementing, or confirming a previously announced tariff reduction or exclusion does not qualify, and merely extending or renewing the duration of existing relief does not qualify. However, a package that extends existing relief and also introduces an additional tariff reduction, a new exclusion or exemption, or coverage of additional goods qualifies. General statements about reducing trade barriers, proposals for possible future action, announcements opening an exclusion process without granting new relief, and commitments only to negotiate do not qualify. A definite official commitment qualifies even if its implementing notice, legal instrument, or effective date comes after September 26. Use authoritative announcements from the government taking the action or an official bilateral joint statement to determine resolution. Relevant sources include the White House, U.S. Trade Representative, and Federal Register for U.S. actions, and the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, Ministry of Finance, or other authoritative Chinese government sources for Chinese actions. If the meeting occurs but no qualifying announcement is made within the specified window, resolve NO.

### Fine Print

For purposes of the meeting condition, postponement, cancellation, or replacement by a materially different encounter does not satisfy the condition unless Trump and Xi actually hold the planned September 24, 2026 bilateral meeting. Pure extensions or renewals of relief already announced before the meeting remain non-qualifying even if announced as part of the summit package. A qualifying measure need not enumerate individual tariff lines, provided the covered goods are objectively identifiable.