The White House released a joint statement, on 12 May 2025, announcing that the US will lower the “de minimis” tariff on low-value shipments from China to 30%, easing tensions in the trade war between the two largest economies.

The order relieves Chinese e-commerce giants Shein and Temu. It follows a weekend deal in Geneva on 11 May 2024 between Beijing and Washington to pause most retaliatory tariffs imposed since April for 90 days.

However, the joint statement did not mention de minimis duties.

China’s Customs Tariff Commission (CTC) of the State Council issued Announcement [2025] No. 7 to implement the trade agreement between China and the US.  Effective from 14 May 2025, the 34% tariffs imposed by CTC Announcement [2025] No. 4 on US goods will be reduced to 10% for 90 days, suspending the additional 24% tariffs during this period.

China will also remove the modified additional ad valorem duty rates on those articles imposed by the No. 5 and No. 6 announcements issued by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council on 9 April and 11 April, respectively.

China raised the additional tariffs on products imported from the United States to 84% and 125%, respectively, as countermeasures against the US’ “reciprocal tariffs.”

The Trump administration ended duty-free access for low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong entering the US after he signed an executive order on 2 May 2025. This order also effectively ended the “de minimis” treatment for China.

However, the order signed by Trump lowered levies on direct-to-consumer postal shipments to 54% (from 120%) for items valued up to USD 800, starting 14 May 2025. A flat USD 100 postal package fee remains, but a planned increase to USD 200 on 1 June 2025 was cancelled. As a result, the tariff rate on those packages has now been lowered to the reduced US rate of 30%, down from 145% for Chinese imports.

The 30% tariff rate stems from the Trump administration’s decision to reduce China’s “reciprocal” duty rate from 145% to 10%, along with an additional 20% duty tied to the US fentanyl crisis.

On 2 April 2025, the Trump Administration imposed 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports and a 10% baseline tariff on imports from all countries. Trump also introduced reciprocal tariffs on imports from countries with large US trade deficits, including China, but delayed them for 90 days—except for China—before announcing plans for 145% tariffs on Chinese goods. In retaliation, China raised tariffs on US imports to 125%.

Later, China granted tariff exemptions on pharmaceuticals, microchips, and aircraft components to ease the impact of its trade war with Washington. China also removed tariffs on US ethane imports, reducing pressure on Chinese companies that rely on it for petrochemical production.

President Trump said his administration will reduce the 145% tariffs on China if trade negotiations between the two nations go well.