TMTPOST -- China on Wednesday announced temporary suspension of export controls targeting a total of 45 U.S. entities after the world’s top two economies agreed on tariff pause through the two-day trade talks.

Credit：Xinhua News Agency

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said it has temporarily paused export controls of dual-use items for 28 U.S. entities, and the 90-day suspension went into effect on May 14, Wednesday. The decision was made to implement the consensus reached at the China-US high-level economic and trade talks, which stated that China would suspend or remove non-tariff countermeasures against the U.S. which took effect from April 2, a MOFCOM spokesperson responded to media inquires, according to a statement from the ministry’s website.

The MOFCOM, pursuant to relevant export control laws and regulations, issued Announcements No. 21 and No. 22 on April 4 and 9, 2025, respectively, adding a total of 28 US entities to the Export Control List, prohibiting the export of dual-use items to these entities, the spokesperson said. During the period of suspension, exporters seeking to export dual-use items to the above-mentioned 28 entities can apply for permits from the MOFCOM, and the ministry will grant licenses if it find they meet the requirements through the review in accordance with relevant law and regulations, the spokesperson told the media.

The move suggested 28 U.S. entities would temporarily not be subject to export ban on rare earths from China. Beijing on April 4 initially banned the exports of seven types of rare earths for 16 US entities, and expanded the blacklist with additional 12 entities on April 9.

The MOFCOM later Wednesday announced it also halted its unreliable entity list and export control measures on 17 U.S. entities. A ministry spokesperson told media that a measure which added 11 U.S. firms to China's unreliable entity list, which was announced on April 4, has been suspended for 90 days, starting May 14, Wednesday. An April 9 measure that added six U.S. firms to China's unreliable entity list has also been paused, the spokesperson said, adding that domestic enterprises are now permitted to apply to conduct transactions with these entities.

China and U.S. reached an agreement to cut most of their recent tariffs following a China-U.S. high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs at weekend. The U.S.on Sunday said it will lower reciprocal tariffs of 125% on Chinese goods to 10%, and a 20% tariff tied to the fentanyl crisis will remain. China said it will accordingly cut its tariffs on U.S. goods to 10% from 125%. China will also adopt all necessary administrative measures to suspend or remove the non-tariff countermeasures taken against the United States since April 2. The two countries will also establish a mechanism to continue discussions about economic and trade relations, and the discussions may be conducted alternately in China and the United States, or a third country upon agreement of both sides.

The deal ended up satifying nearly all of Beijing’s core demands,a Bloomerg report commented. It continued that the elevated “reciprocal” tariff for China has been suspended, leaving America’s top rival with the same 10% rate that applies to the UK, a longtime ally. Moreover,the two sides agreed to take “aggressive actions” to stem the flow of fentanyl, which could eventually lead to the elimination of the additional 20% tariff.

China and U.S. respectively retain the remaining 10% tariffs despite the aforementioned tariff cuts, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on a regular press on Wednesday. “Right after the U.S. groundlessly levied two rounds of tariffs on Chinese goods under the pretext of the fentanyl issue, China responded with tariffs and non-tariff countermeasures to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. These countermeasures remain in force,” said Lin.