If you're asking "does China have tariffs on the US," the short answer is a resounding, complicated yes. But honestly, it’s not just a single "tax" you pay at the border. It’s a shifting, messy landscape of retaliatory duties, "market-based" exclusions, and sudden diplomatic deals that change faster than a social media trend.
Right now, as we sit in early 2026, the trade relationship between Washington and Beijing is basically a high-stakes game of chicken. We just came out of a chaotic 2025 where tariffs spiked to historic levels—at one point, Chinese retaliatory rates on American goods were threatening to hit upwards of 125%.
But then, late last year, things took a turn.
The Current State of Play in 2026
In November 2025, the Trump administration and Beijing struck a "one-year deal." This wasn't a permanent peace treaty. It was more like a timeout.
Here is the gist of where things stand today: China has suspended most of those massive retaliatory tariffs they slapped on American products in early 2025. This suspension is currently set to last until November 10, 2026.
So, if you’re a farmer in Iowa or a tech company in California, you aren't paying that 125% rate today. Instead, China’s average tariff on U.S. exports has settled around 21.9%. Still high? Definitely. But it’s a far cry from the "trade-pocalypse" levels we saw last April.
What Goods Are Actually Being Taxed?
China doesn't just put one flat rate on everything. They are very strategic about where they hit. Usually, they target products from U.S. states that have a lot of political swing.
Agriculture and Food
This is China's favorite lever. For most of 2025, American soybeans, pork, and corn were under heavy fire. Under the current deal, Beijing has committed to buying:
- 25 million metric tons of soybeans annually through 2028.
- Massive amounts of sorghum and hardwood logs.
While the "retaliatory" extra duties are suspended for now, there are still baseline tariffs. For example, U.S. chicken and wheat still face a roughly 15% rate, while aquatic products and beef sit around 10%.
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Energy and Minerals
Natural gas (LNG) and coal are the "swing" players. Last year, China hiked duties on American LNG to 140% during the peak of the dispute. Currently, that's been pulled back to 15%.
Wait, it gets weirder. Just a few days ago, on January 14, 2026, the U.S. issued a new proclamation regarding critical minerals. This hasn't triggered a Chinese counter-response yet, but everyone is holding their breath. If the U.S. blocks Chinese minerals, you can bet your bottom dollar China will flip the tariff switch back on for American energy exports.
Why the "Exclusion Process" Matters
You might hear trade nerds talk about "tariff exclusions." This is basically a "get out of jail free" card for certain companies.
China has a market-based tariff exclusion process. Basically, a Chinese company can apply to the government and say, "Hey, I really need this specific American machine because I can't buy it anywhere else." If the government agrees, they can import it without the extra retaliatory trade-war tax.
Pro tip: This exclusion window was just extended to December 31, 2026. If you are exporting to China, your buyer needs to be checking this list constantly.
The "Fentanyl" Factor and Reciprocal Tariffs
One of the weirdest parts of the current 2026 trade landscape is the "fentanyl tariff."
Last year, the U.S. put a specific 20% tariff on Chinese goods specifically to pressure Beijing to stop the flow of fentanyl chemicals. As part of the November "timeout," the U.S. cut that in half to 10% after China promised to crack down on chemical exports.
China, in turn, lowered their "reciprocal" rates. It’s this constant back-and-forth trade-off. You give a little, I give a little. But the moment one side feels cheated, those rates will skyrocket again.
What Most People Miss
People usually think tariffs are paid by the country that "sends" the goods. That's wrong.
When we talk about China having tariffs on the US, it’s the Chinese companies (the importers) who pay the tax to their own government. But here’s the kicker: to cover that extra cost, they either pay the American supplier less or they raise prices for Chinese consumers.
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This creates a "chilling effect." Even if a tariff is "only" 10%, a Chinese buyer might look at an American product and think, "Too much paperwork, too much risk," and buy from Brazil or Germany instead. That’s the real damage of the trade war—it’s not just the money; it’s the broken relationships.
Actionable Steps for Navigating 2026
If you are doing business between the U.S. and China, or just trying to understand why your tech or food prices are wonky, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the November 10th Deadline: The current "truce" expires in late 2026. If a new deal isn't reached by then, expect a massive "snap-back" of tariffs. Plan your inventory accordingly.
- Audit Your HTS Codes: Tariff rates are based on Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes. A slight difference in how a product is classified can mean a 0% rate vs. a 25% rate.
- Check for Exclusions Monthly: Don't assume you have to pay the sticker price. China's Ministry of Finance updates exclusion lists regularly.
- Diversify Your Supply Chain: Honestly, the 2025 volatility proved that "just-in-time" manufacturing from China is risky. Many firms are moving "China + 1"—keeping Chinese production but adding a backup in Vietnam or Mexico.
The reality is that China does have tariffs on the US, and they are using them like a thermostat to control the political temperature. Right now, the room is "cool," but the heater is still plugged in.
Key Insight: Keep a close eye on the "Section 232" negotiations regarding semiconductors and minerals that started this month. Those are the most likely triggers for the next round of Chinese retaliation.