EO 14298Executive OrderTrump 47 · R

Executive Order 14298

Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates To Reflect Discussions With the People's Republic of China

In simple terms

This executive order temporarily reduces additional U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 10% for 90 days following U.S.-China trade discussions, while also lowering de minimis postal duties from 120% to 54%. The modifications take effect May 14, 2025, with certain provisions set to expire after 90 days unless extended.

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 90 FR 21831

  3. 90-day suspension of modified additional ad valorem rates expires (approximate, based on 90 days from May 14, 2025)

  4. 10% additional ad valorem duty on PRC imports takes effect; HTSUS modifications effective; de minimis rate reduction to 54% effective

Market exposure

Policy exposure mapping — not investment advice. Illustrative public companies are incomplete and not recommendations.

Mechanisms

TariffMinimum import price

Role pressure

  • MixedImporter — Immediate cost relief from 145% to 10% for 90 days, but cliff-edge reversion risk creates planning uncertainty; de minimis importers see rate cut but $100/item fee retained
  • MixedDownstream manufacturer — Lower input costs for 90 days improve margins, but temporary nature complicates procurement and pricing decisions; dependent on negotiation outcomes
  • ProtectiveTrading-partner exporter — PRC exporters including Hong Kong and Macau benefit from reduced U.S. tariff barrier for 90-day window, though 10% additional duty still applies
  • AdverseDomestic producer — Competing domestic manufacturers face restored price competition from Chinese imports during 90-day suspension; protected by remaining 10% additional duty and potential reversion

Geographies

Exposure dates

  • — 10% additional ad valorem duty on PRC imports takes effect; HTSUS modifications effective; de minimis rate reduction to 54% effective
  • — 90-day suspension of modified additional ad valorem rates expires (approximate, based on 90 days from May 14, 2025)

Illustrative public companies

Curated watchlist matches by sector/role — incomplete; not a recommendation.

MMM3MAAAlcoaGOOGLAlphabetAAPLAppleADMArcher Daniels MidlandBGBungeCATCaterpillarCENXCentury AluminumCLFCleveland-CliffsCTVACortevaLLYEli LillyFFordFCXFreeport-McMoRanGEVGE VernovaGMGeneral MotorsHONHoneywellHYMTFHyundai MotorQQQInvesco QQQ TrustJNJJohnson & JohnsonMRKMerckMETAMeta PlatformsMSFTMicrosoftNVSNovartisNUENucor

Confidence: high · Policy alerts

Key directives

  • Suspend for 90 days application of additional ad valorem duties on PRC imports imposed under EO 14257/14259/14266, reducing effective additional rate to 10% effective May 14, 2025
  • Remove modified additional ad valorem rates imposed by EO 14259 and EO 14266
  • Amend HTSUS heading 9903.01.25 to revise article description
  • Amend HTSUS heading 9903.01.63 and U.S. note 2 subdivision (v)(xiii)(10) by replacing '125%' with '34%', then suspend both for 90 days
  • Decrease de minimis ad valorem rate from 120% to 54% in EO 14256 section 2(c)(i)
  • Retain $100 per postal item duty and remove scheduled June 1, 2025 increase to $200
  • Modify HTSUS subdivision (w) of U.S. note 2 to subchapter III of chapter 99 to reflect 54% rate and delete June 1, 2025 escalation language
  • Direct Secretaries of Commerce, Homeland Security, and USTR to implement with interagency consultation

Who is ordered

Prior policy

  • otherEO 14257 additional ad valorem duties on PRC imports (24 percentage points)
  • othermodified additional ad valorem rates in EO 14259 and EO 14266
  • otherEO 14256 section 2(c)(i) de minimis ad valorem rate from 120% to 54%
  • otherscheduled June 1, 2025 de minimis escalation to $200 per postal item in EO 14256 as modified

Related orders

What to expect

Immediate

  • 10% additional ad valorem duty takes effect May 14, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT
  • de minimis rate drops from 120% to 54% effective May 14, 2025
  • $100 per postal item duty retained, June 1 increase to $200 removed

Near term (90d)

  • 90-day suspension period runs through approximately August 12, 2025
  • agencies must implement HTSUS modifications and regulatory changes
  • ongoing U.S.-China discussions expected to continue

Long term

  • Potential reversion to higher tariff rates after 90-day suspension expires
  • possible further modifications based on trade negotiation outcomes
  • structural uncertainty for supply chain planning dependent on bilateral talks

Risks & tensions

  • Temporary 90-day nature creates cliff-edge uncertainty for importers and supply chain planners
  • 34% rate retained in HTSUS amendments but suspended; reversion risk if talks fail
  • De minimis postal provision retains $100/item but removes scheduled escalation, creating ambiguity about future treatment
  • PRC 'intentions' language is aspirational; actual compliance and remedy steps not specified
  • Interagency implementation burden with multiple cabinet secretaries required to coordinate rapidly
Executive Order 14298: Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates To Reflect Discussions With the People's Republic of China · Executive Orders