China agrees to cut tariffs on U.S. autos, official says, without details

WASHINGTON — China has indicated it will cut tariffs on U.S.-made autos and car parts, a Trump administration official said on Tuesday, adding that Washington is still awaiting formal documentation of the reduction and details on timing of the move.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed earlier reports by The Wall Street Journal and automaker executives that Chinese Vice Premier Liu He told U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin during a phone call that China would cut autos tariffs.

White House officials told automakers following the trade call that the Trump administration believes China will cut tariffs on U.S. autos to 15 percent from the current 40 percent, an auto executive said on Tuesday.

China had raised the tariff to 40 percent in retaliation for tariffs that Trump levied against Chinese goods and autos. So the reduction would put the situation back to where it was before.

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