China cuts tariffs on $75bn of US goods amid coronavirus pressure
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China has cut tariffs on $75bn worth of imports from the US.
The move comes as trade tensions ease and Beijing tries to cushion the economic shock caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Asian stock markets surged higher on the announcement, which follows a similar reduction by the Trump administration last month.
Markets in Europe also enjoyed a positive opening.
The tariffs – targeting American goods such as car parts – were imposed last September as part of the dispute between the world’s two biggest economies.
The tit-for-tat measures came after the two sides fell out over China’s trade surplus, and allegations that it was stealing technology from foreign companies.
After a year and a half of wrangling, the two sides signed a “phase one” trade deal last month, with Washington cancelling planned additional tariff hikes and Beijing committing to buy more US farm exports.
Now, China is coming under additional pressure from the coronavirus outbreak that has closed factories, stores and other businesses.
It has already sought to calm financial markets by injecting 1.2tn yuan into the system and analysts also see the timing of the latest tariff move as a bid to boost confidence.
The announcement will see two sets of tariffs cut by half, from 15% to 7.5%, and from 10% to 5%.
