BEIJING — The Global Times, a state-backed Chinese media outlet, has stated that the 90-day tariff ceasefire agreed between the United States and China during trade talks in Switzerland last week is too brief.

The comments came as trade envoys from the world’s two largest economies reconvened in South Korea to continue negotiations.

As reported by Reuters.com on Friday (16/5), during the Geneva meeting, the US agreed to reduce additional tariffs on imports from China to 30% from a previous 145%, effective for the next three months.

In return, China will lower tariffs on imports from the US to 10% from 125%.

“The window for mutually beneficial cooperation should not be confined to a 90-day period,” wrote the Global Times, which is often seen as reflecting Beijing’s policy stance on trade matters.

The publication added, “We hope the US will build upon the results of these talks and remain willing to take joint steps toward compromise with China.”

In addition to tariff reductions, Beijing also agreed to suspend or revoke non-tariff measures against the US that have been in effect since 2 April.

One such measure includes the suspension of plans to add around 50 US companies to a list of trade and investment restrictions.

China also expressed readiness to roll back retaliatory export measures imposed after 2 April, potentially opening the door to lifting restrictions on rare earth mineral exports—though there has been no official confirmation from Beijing on this matter.

However, analysts have cautioned that China is unlikely to announce detailed implementation plans for these promises any time soon.

“There’s no advantage for China in prematurely disclosing which non-tariff barriers will be lifted. That would limit the flexibility they need,” said Dan Wang, China Director at Eurasia Group.

“Tariffs may rise again after 90 days, and China might agree to some purchase deals. But non-tariff barriers will remain a key issue in future negotiations,” he added.

During a regular press briefing on Thursday, China’s Ministry of Commerce did not specify which non-tariff restrictions would be permanently removed and which would only be suspended.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting on Jeju Island, South Korea, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with China’s Trade Envoy Li Chenggang. However, both sides have yet to disclose details of their discussions. (DK/ZH)