U.S. and China Name $60 Billion in Goods for Tariff Cuts, From Soccer Balls to Poultry

The deal covers everyday items like tableware and microwave ovens, but don't expect store prices to drop overnight.

What happened

On Monday, Sept. 28, the United States and China released matching lists of products that are set to get lower tariffs. Each list covers about $30 billion worth of trade, or about $60 billion in total, according to the Associated Press and Al Jazeera.

A tariff is a tax on imported goods. The company bringing the goods into the country pays it, but some or all of that cost is often passed on to shoppers through higher prices.

The lists follow a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House last week, during Xi's state visit to Washington. The AP noted it was Xi's first state visit to the U.S. since 2015.

What is on the lists

Chinese goods coming into the U.S. The U.S. list includes 77 product categories, according to the AP. Examples reported by the AP and Al Jazeera include:

• Fireworks
• Tableware
• Glass ornaments
• Soccer balls
• Microwave ovens
• Artificial flowers
• Weighing scales
• Fish hooks

U.S. goods going into China. China's list covers more than 1,600 items. Examples include poultry, dairy, eggs, peanuts, canned tomatoes, timber, coal, medical equipment and personal care products.

According to China's Commerce Ministry, as reported by the AP, more than 90% of the covered products will be charged "most-favored-nation" tariff rates. That is the standard, lower rate a country charges most of its trading partners, which effectively removes the extra country-specific tariffs on those items. Sensitive industries such as computer chips, electric vehicles and batteries were left out.

The two countries also agreed to extend a trade truce by two months, through January, the AP reported.

What officials and experts said

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the lists "focused on nonsensitive goods on each side that could benefit from more favorable tariff treatment," according to the AP.

Not everyone expects a big change. Deborah Elms of the Hinrich Foundation told Al Jazeera the listed goods "do not move the needle on overall trade flows" and won't "make a dramatic difference in inflation figures."

For context, two-way trade between the U.S. and China fell 25% to $495 billion in 2025, according to Al Jazeera. So $60 billion is a meaningful slice, but far from all of it.

What this means for your wallet

Small savings on some household items. If tariffs fall on things like tableware, ornaments and small appliances, importers' costs go down. Some of that saving could reach shoppers over time. But stores often sell through older inventory first, and companies decide for themselves whether to lower prices.

Holiday shopping. Several items on the U.S. list, such as glass ornaments and artificial flowers, are seasonal decorations. Whether prices change before the holidays will depend on when the new rates actually apply and how quickly retailers adjust.

Farm and food effects. Lower Chinese tariffs on U.S. poultry, dairy and peanuts could help American farmers sell more abroad. That mostly affects farm incomes rather than grocery prices at home.

Bigger picture. The deal is a sign that trade tensions are easing. The AP noted that U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods once reached as high as 145%. Calmer trade relations can reduce the risk of sudden price jumps on imported goods.

How to shop smart while tariffs shift

• Compare before you buy. Prices on imported goods may move unevenly, so checking a few stores can pay off.
• Avoid panic buying. Tariff headlines can create a sense of urgency that doesn't match what actually happens to prices.
• Plan holiday spending now. Setting a gift and decoration budget early helps you avoid overspending, whatever happens with prices.