So, you’re looking at your shipping costs or maybe wondering why that specific piece of machinery suddenly costs as much as a small house, and the question hits you: does China have tariffs on US goods right now? Honestly, the answer changes depending on which week you ask, but as we sit here in early 2026, the situation is... well, it’s a bit of a "truce."
If you haven't been glued to the trade tickers, here is the short version: after a wild 2025 that saw tariff rates swinging like a pendulum, things have calmed down—kinda. But don't let the word "truce" fool you. Thousands of American products are still carrying extra baggage when they land in Chinese ports.
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The 2026 Reality: Is the Trade War Over?
Not even close. You've probably heard about the big deal struck back in late 2025 between President Trump and President Xi. That agreement was basically a massive "pause" button. China agreed to suspend a bunch of the retaliatory tariffs they had slapped on US goods earlier in the year—specifically the ones they launched in March 2025.
Basically, the "new" extra taxes are on ice until at least November 2026. But—and this is a huge but—the older tariffs from the original trade war (the ones from 2018 and 2019) are still very much alive. We’re talking about Section 301 retaliatory duties. If you are exporting high-tech components or specific chemicals, you’re likely still paying those legacy rates.
What US Goods are Actually Being Hit?
When China wants to hit back, they go for the heart of the American economy: farmers and factories. Even with the current suspension of the 2025 hikes, certain sectors are still navigating a minefield.
Agriculture: The Biggest Target
Farmers always get the short end of the stick in these fights. Right now, China has a market-based tariff exclusion process in place. This is basically a way for Chinese companies to ask their government for permission to buy US stuff without the extra tax. It’s active until December 31, 2026.
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- Soybeans: This is the big one. Under the current deal, China is supposed to buy 25 million metric tons of US soybeans annually through 2028.
- Pork and Beef: These were hit hard in early 2025 with an extra 10% duty, but that specific increase is currently suspended. However, the base tariffs remain higher than what other countries pay.
- Cranberries and Fish: Fun fact—as of January 1, 2026, China actually ended some "tentative" lower rates. Fresh cranberries now face a standard 30% duty again.
Industrial and Tech Goods
It isn't just corn and cows. If you’re in manufacturing, you’ve probably noticed that things like hardwoods, softwood logs, and certain chemicals have been on and off the list. Currently, the retaliatory 15% duty on US coal and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is suspended, which is a huge relief for the energy sector.
But then you have the high-performance semiconductors. Just this month (January 2026), a new 25% tariff kicked in on certain advanced AI chips. Why? Because trade isn't just about money anymore; it’s about who has the fastest computers.
Why Do These Tariffs Keep Moving?
You've gotta look at the "Reciprocal Tariff" policy. The US has been pushing a "you tax us, we tax you" agenda. In 2025, the US threatened a 125% tariff on almost everything from China. China responded by cranking their rates up to 84% in April 2025.
The reason they came down to the current "10% plus legacy duties" level is that both economies started to feel the heat. When a truck part costs double what it did last year, people get mad. So, they reached this one-year reprieve. It’s basically a staring contest where both sides agreed to blink at the same time.
How to Check if Your Product is Taxed
Honestly, if you’re a business owner, "guessing" is a bad strategy. You need to look at the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes.
- Find your 8-digit HTS code. This is the "ID card" for your product.
- Check the MOFCOM (Ministry of Commerce) announcements. China doesn't always make it easy to find these in English, so most people use customs brokers.
- Look for Exclusions. Just because there’s a tariff doesn't mean you have to pay it. Many Chinese importers can apply for waivers if they can prove they can't get the product from anywhere else.
The "Hidden" Costs: Non-Tariff Barriers
Sometimes it’s not the tax that kills the deal; it’s the paperwork. China has been using "Unreliable Entity Lists" and "Export Controls" as a different kind of tariff. For example, even if the tariff on a US drone component is low, China might just "delay" the inspection at the port for three weeks. That’s a tariff in everything but name.
They’ve also been very strict about "biosecurity." Last year, they suspended several US log and soybean exporters, claiming they found pests or contaminants. Whether those pests were real or just "geopolitical pests" is up for debate, but the result is the same: the goods don't move.
Actionable Steps for Navigating 2026
If you’re doing business across the Pacific, "hoping for the best" isn't a plan. Here’s what you actually need to do:
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- Audit your supply chain for 2027 now. The current truce expires in November 2026. If a new round of 100%+ tariffs hits then, do you have a Plan B in Vietnam or Mexico?
- Leverage the Exclusion Process. If your Chinese buyer isn't applying for the market-based tariff exclusions, they are leaving money on the table. Push them to do the paperwork.
- Watch the "De Minimis" Rules. The US recently ended duty-free treatment for low-value packages from China. Expect China to potentially retaliate with similar "small package" taxes on US e-commerce.
- Verify HTS Updates. China updates its "tentative" rates every January. What was 5% in December might be 25% today.
The trade relationship between the US and China is basically a high-stakes poker game. Right now, both players have taken their hands off the chips for a second to grab a drink, but the cards are still on the table. Keep your eyes on those November 2026 deadlines.