U.S., China Decide To Hold Off Fresh Tariffs For 90 Days

Washington keeps the rate at 10%; Beijing agrees to buy American farm products

China and the United States agreed to halt additional tariffs in a deal that keeps their trade war from escalating as the two sides try again to bridge their differences with fresh talks aimed at reaching an agreement within 90 days.

The White House said on Saturday that President Donald Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping during high-stakes talks in Argentina that he would not boost tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25% on January 1 as previously announced.

Beijing for its part agreed to buy an unspecified but "very substantial" amount of agricultural, energy, industrial and other products from the U.S., the White House said in a statement.

New trade talks

The two sides will also launch new trade talks to address issues, including technology transfer, intellectual property, nontariff barriers, and agriculture, it said.

If no deal is reached within 90 days, both parties agreed that the 10% tariffs will be raised to 25%, the White House said.

On Sunday, China's state-run media lauded the "important consensus" reached by the two leaders but did not mention the 90day deadline.

Mr. Trump had imposed 10% on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods in September. China responded with its own tariffs.