The United States officially lowered tariffs on Chinese goods starting at 00:01 ET on Wednesday.
In accordance with an executive order issued by the White House on May 12, the United States revoked a total of 91-percent tariffs imposed on Chinese goods (including goods from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region) imposed by Executive Order No. 14259 of April 8, and Executive Order No. 14266 of April 9. The U.S. also modified the 34-percent reciprocal tariff on Chinese goods (including goods from HKSAR and Macao SAR) imposed by Executive Order No. 14257 of April 2, of which a 24-percent tariff will be suspended for 90 days, and the remaining 10-percent tariff will be retained.
The U.S. also lowered or canceled the additional tariffs on small-value parcels from China (including those from HKSAR and Macao SAR). The ad valorem tax rate is reduced from 120 percent to 54 percent, and the originally-scheduled measure to increase the specific tax from 100 dollars per piece to 200 dollars from June 1, 2025 is canceled.
In view of the fact that the US has revoked, suspended or adjusted the relevant additional tariffs on China in accordance with the consensus reached at the high-level trade meeting held last weekend in Switzerland, China has correspondingly adjusted the relevant tariff and non-tariff countermeasures against the U.S.
US lowers tariffs on Chinese goods
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
