Amid US–China Tariff Truce, Experts Warn CCP Will Deploy Delay Tactics

One expert cited the famous military strategem ‘The Art of War’ to warn that Beijing will seek to slow-walk negotiations to gain the advantage.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (R) and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer hold a news conference to give details of "substantial progress" following a two-day closed-door meeting between U.S. and China top officials aimed at ending a devastating tariff war, in Geneva on May 12, 2025. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

With the United States and China agreeing to a temporary trade truce, experts caution that Beijing will try to drag its feet over the next three months to gain an upper hand over Washington.

After May 10–11 talks in Switzerland, the United States agreed to lower most incremental tariffs on China to 30 percent from 145 percent, while China reduced its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods to 10 percent from 125 percent. The reductions will hold for 90 days as both sides continue negotiations to reach a broader deal.