U.S. Opens Public Comment Period on New U.S.-China Trade Board and Potential Tariff Cuts

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has launched a public comment process on the newly proposed U.S.-China Board of Trade, a bilateral initiative that could pave the way for tariff reductions on selected non-strategic goods traded between the world’s two largest economies.

According to a statement released Tuesday, the USTR is inviting businesses, industry groups, farmers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to submit recommendations on specific categories of non-sensitive products that may qualify for lower tariffs. The deadline for public comments is July 10.

The consultation process represents an early step in implementing the U.S.-China Board of Trade, an initiative agreed upon by President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their summit in Beijing in May. The new trade mechanism is designed to identify goods that can be exchanged between the two countries without creating significant economic security, national security, or supply chain resilience concerns.

While U.S. and Chinese officials previously indicated that roughly $30 billion worth of products from each country could be considered for tariff relief, the USTR’s latest announcement does not reference a specific value target. Instead, the agency is seeking broad feedback on which Chinese imports should be classified as non-sensitive and therefore potentially eligible for reduced tariff rates.

Through a Federal Register notice, the USTR asked stakeholders to identify Chinese products that pose minimal economic and national security risks and could return to lower “most-favored nation” tariff levels that existed before Trump’s first term. Commenters are also encouraged to provide import value data from 2022 through 2024 and explain how tariff adjustments would impact consumers, businesses, and domestic industries.

The agency is requesting similar input regarding U.S. exports to China that currently face additional Chinese tariffs, including agricultural goods and other key export products.

Additionally, the USTR is seeking recommendations on how frequently the U.S.-China Board of Trade should meet and how the list of eligible non-sensitive products should be reviewed and updated over time.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the administration aims to work closely with stakeholders to identify trade opportunities that benefit American farmers, ranchers, fishermen, manufacturers, small businesses, and workers. He added that the government remains committed to using tariffs strategically to protect U.S. economic and national security interests while promoting balanced and reciprocal trade with China.

The initiative signals a potential shift toward targeted tariff reductions in U.S.-China trade relations while maintaining safeguards around strategically sensitive sectors.