China has reportedly proposed decreasing tariffs on US-made cars to 15 percent, the same tax levied on car imports from other countries, according to media reports today. China levied a 40 percent duty on US cars over the summer, and the tariff change will take place after China reviews the plans. The timing remains uncertain.
Sources told Bloomberg that China outlined the plan on a recent phone call between top trade negotiators from the two countries, adding that the plan was not finalized and could still change.
The office of the US Trade Representative did not respond to a request for comment. China's commerce ministry confirmed to media that the two sides had spoken. In a statement, the ministry said the conversation concerned "pushing forward the timetable and road map for the next stage of economic and trade consultations work."