US Investigating China Over Compliance in Trade Deal From Trump’s 1st Term

Findings that China failed to uphold its commitments may result in tariffs or other penalties.

Fallen shipping containers (L) next to stacks of leaning containers on a vessel moored at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif., on Sept. 9, 2025. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer announced on Oct. 24 a new investigation into whether China upheld the “Phase One” agreement signed toward the end of President Donald Trump’s first term.

The probe comes ahead of Trump’s high-stakes meeting with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping on Oct. 30, where the two are expected to hash out a trade deal that includes Beijing rolling back the wide-ranging rare-earth restrictions announced earlier this month.