US-China Trade: China Confirms Implementation of Prior Agreements and Purchase of 200 Boeing Aircraft
On the 20th, the head of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs at China's Ministry of Commerce explained the outcomes of recent US-China trade talks. This follows consultations between the two trade teams in South Korea ahead of US President Trump's visit to China from the 13th to the 15th for a meeting with President Xi Jinping. China stated that both sides will continue to implement previous agreements, push for an extension of the Kuala Lumpur joint arrangement, and that Chinese airlines will purchase 200 Boeing aircraft on commercial principles. Furthermore, they agreed to negotiate reciprocal tariff cuts on products worth $30 billion and to establish intergovernmental trade and investment councils to stabilize economic relations.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 13:31
- 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 14:01 (30 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 14:19 (17 min after Collected)
The head of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs at China's Ministry of Commerce today provided an interpretation of the preliminary outcomes of the US-China trade and economic consultations. The statement indicated that both the US and China reaffirmed they will continue to implement the results of previous trade consultations and promote an extension of the joint arrangement from the Kuala Lumpur trade talks. It also noted that Chinese aviation companies will import 200 Boeing aircraft in accordance with commercial principles.
US President Trump visited China from the 13th to the 15th, holding a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 14th. From the 12th to the 13th, the US-China trade teams held consultations in South Korea, making preparations in the economic and trade fields for the meeting between the two leaders.
This morning, the website of China's Ministry of Commerce published the interpretation by the head of its Department of American and Oceanian Affairs regarding the preliminary trade outcomes, covering issues such as US-China tariffs, expanded agricultural products, rare earth export controls, aircraft trade, and US beef.
On the issue of tariffs, the official stated that tariffs are a key issue in the US-China trade relationship. During these consultations, the US-China trade teams had in-depth communication on tariffs and made arrangements regarding bilateral tariffs. It is hoped that the US side will honor its commitments and that, regardless of the reason for imposing additional or alternative tariffs on China in the future, the level of US tariffs on China will not exceed that stipulated in the Kuala Lumpur trade talks' joint arrangement. It is also hoped that subsequent consultations will lead to the further cancellation of unilateral tariffs on China, creating positive conditions for expanding bilateral trade cooperation.
The official added that the two sides agreed in principle to discuss a framework for reciprocal tariff reductions on products of an equivalent scale under the Trade Council, with a scale of US$30 billion or more for each side. For mutually agreed upon products of concern, it is expected that Most Favored Nation (MFN) rates or even lower rates may apply. The implementation of this arrangement will not only help stabilize and expand US-China bilateral trade but also provide a useful model for global open cooperation. The trade teams of both sides will maintain close communication to finalize specific arrangements and promote their implementation as soon as possible.
The official also mentioned that in October 2025, the US and China reached a joint arrangement in Kuala Lumpur to address their respective trade and economic concerns, which suspended some tariff and non-tariff measures until November 10, 2026. These include the US 24% reciprocal tariffs and China's related countermeasures; the US 50% penetration rule for export controls and China's related export control measures; and the US Section 301 investigation into China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries and China's related countermeasures.
The official stated that these arrangements are of great significance to the stability of US-China trade relations, and promoting their extension is in the common interest of both countries and meets the expectations of the international community. In these consultations, both sides reaffirmed they will continue to implement the outcomes of previous trade talks. The trade teams will maintain close communication and consultation to promote the extension of the Kuala Lumpur joint arrangement, providing a more stable policy environment and market expectations for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Regarding President Trump's statement that China agreed to buy 200 Boeing aircraft, the official said that in accordance with the important consensus reached by the US and Chinese heads of state, Chinese aviation will import 200 Boeing aircraft based on commercial principles and its own air transport development needs. At the same time, the US will provide sufficient engine and parts supply guarantees for China.
Furthermore, the official noted that, following consultations, the US and China agreed to establish an intergovernmental Trade Council and Investment Council. The trade teams of both sides will maintain close communication to formulate specific arrangements for the structure, functions, and operating models of the councils as soon as possible.
US President Trump visited China from the 13th to the 15th, holding a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 14th. From the 12th to the 13th, the US-China trade teams held consultations in South Korea, making preparations in the economic and trade fields for the meeting between the two leaders.
This morning, the website of China's Ministry of Commerce published the interpretation by the head of its Department of American and Oceanian Affairs regarding the preliminary trade outcomes, covering issues such as US-China tariffs, expanded agricultural products, rare earth export controls, aircraft trade, and US beef.
On the issue of tariffs, the official stated that tariffs are a key issue in the US-China trade relationship. During these consultations, the US-China trade teams had in-depth communication on tariffs and made arrangements regarding bilateral tariffs. It is hoped that the US side will honor its commitments and that, regardless of the reason for imposing additional or alternative tariffs on China in the future, the level of US tariffs on China will not exceed that stipulated in the Kuala Lumpur trade talks' joint arrangement. It is also hoped that subsequent consultations will lead to the further cancellation of unilateral tariffs on China, creating positive conditions for expanding bilateral trade cooperation.
The official added that the two sides agreed in principle to discuss a framework for reciprocal tariff reductions on products of an equivalent scale under the Trade Council, with a scale of US$30 billion or more for each side. For mutually agreed upon products of concern, it is expected that Most Favored Nation (MFN) rates or even lower rates may apply. The implementation of this arrangement will not only help stabilize and expand US-China bilateral trade but also provide a useful model for global open cooperation. The trade teams of both sides will maintain close communication to finalize specific arrangements and promote their implementation as soon as possible.
The official also mentioned that in October 2025, the US and China reached a joint arrangement in Kuala Lumpur to address their respective trade and economic concerns, which suspended some tariff and non-tariff measures until November 10, 2026. These include the US 24% reciprocal tariffs and China's related countermeasures; the US 50% penetration rule for export controls and China's related export control measures; and the US Section 301 investigation into China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries and China's related countermeasures.
The official stated that these arrangements are of great significance to the stability of US-China trade relations, and promoting their extension is in the common interest of both countries and meets the expectations of the international community. In these consultations, both sides reaffirmed they will continue to implement the outcomes of previous trade talks. The trade teams will maintain close communication and consultation to promote the extension of the Kuala Lumpur joint arrangement, providing a more stable policy environment and market expectations for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Regarding President Trump's statement that China agreed to buy 200 Boeing aircraft, the official said that in accordance with the important consensus reached by the US and Chinese heads of state, Chinese aviation will import 200 Boeing aircraft based on commercial principles and its own air transport development needs. At the same time, the US will provide sufficient engine and parts supply guarantees for China.
Furthermore, the official noted that, following consultations, the US and China agreed to establish an intergovernmental Trade Council and Investment Council. The trade teams of both sides will maintain close communication to formulate specific arrangements for the structure, functions, and operating models of the councils as soon as possible.