U.S. trade officials said Tuesday that any extension of the current tariff pause with China will depend on President Donald Trump’s approval. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that Trump has the final decision on all trade agreements, including the potential extension of the tariff truce.
The comments came after the third round of high-level trade talks between the U.S. and China concluded in Stockholm, Sweden. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the teams would return to Washington to consult with the president on whether to proceed with extending the pause. Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One, said he expected to be briefed soon and would decide whether to approve the extension.
Chinese negotiator Li Chenggang noted that both sides agreed to continue efforts to extend the 90-day tariff pause, which currently expires on August 12. Bessent warned that if no agreement is reached by then, tariffs on Chinese goods will return to the higher levels seen in April—a scenario he described as “boomeranging.” Another round of talks is expected in about 90 days.
The tariff truce followed a series of escalating tariffs earlier this year, with Trump initially imposing steep duties on Chinese imports before agreeing to a pause in May after talks in Geneva. Bessent described the recent discussions as positive and said the two sides are developing more refined positions and greater mutual respect. However, concerns remain, including China’s continued oil purchases from Iran, despite Trump’s prior approval of the practice.
Bessent also clarified that national security issues, such as the U.S. government’s scrutiny of the Chinese-owned app TikTok, remain separate from trade negotiations. He said the talks are distinct from other U.S. efforts to reshape global trade relationships, including the reinstatement of tariffs on several countries starting Friday. Bessent expressed confidence that snapback tariffs would not derail ongoing negotiations, as long as all parties engage in good faith.