Overview

• The US and China agreed to a 90-day suspension of escalating tariffs, reducing US duties to 30% and China's to 10%, down from record highs of 145% and 125%.
• Analysts predict US tariffs will likely remain at 30% through late 2025, maintaining pressure on Chinese exports and limiting economic relief.
• Observers highlight that the truce lacks substantive concessions from either side, reflecting persistent structural divisions in US-China relations.
• South Korea faces a critical window to recalibrate trade strategies, seeking exemptions for key exports like automobiles and steel during the truce period.
• Experts warn that the temporary agreement does little to resolve long-term tensions, with businesses unsettled by continued trade policy uncertainty.