No tariff deals as Trump departs Beijing despite praising talks

President Donald Trump left Beijing on May 15 praising what he called “very good” talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but the two-day summit ended without announced agreements on tariffs, Taiwan or Iran. Trump instead pointed to a set of commercial commitments, including Chinese purchases of U.S. oil, Boeing aircraft and farm goods. Chinese officials said the two leaders reached “a series of new consensus” and agreed to build what Beijing called “constructive, strategic stability” in the relationship. The White House and Chinese readouts, as reflected in reporting from Reuters, CNBC and other outlets, did not include a tariff rollback, a Taiwan formula or a public Chinese commitment tied to the Iran war. Trump told reporters and media outlets that the trip had been an “incredible visit” and said the countries made “fantastic trade deals.” (msn.com) ### If the talks were “very good,” what did the two sides actually announce? Trump said China agreed to buy American oil, expand purchases of U.S. agricultural products and place an initial order for 200 Boeing aircraft. In an interview aired Thursday in the United States, he said Chinese ships would begin loading oil in Texas, Louisiana and Alaska. (msn.com) Boeing confirmed what it called an initial commitment for 200 aircraft. The company said the trip reopened the China market to Boeing orders, though it did not identify aircraft types, delivery timing or pricing. Trump said the total could eventually rise to 750 planes. Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, said the administration expected “double-digit billions” of Chinese agricultural purchases over the next three years, according to NewsNation. (cnbc.com) A White House official told CBS News that more details on the agriculture and aircraft agreements were still forthcoming. ### Why was there no tariff announcement? (cbsnews.com) Tariffs were widely expected to be part of the agenda before the summit opened in Beijing on May 14. CNBC reported ahead of the meeting that trade, tariffs, Iran, Taiwan and rare earths were all expected to be discussed. Reuters reported that Trump left China without a major trade breakthrough, and NBC reported that no decisions were reached on tariffs. (newsnationnow.com) Publicly available post-summit accounts reviewed here did not show either government announcing a tariff change or a timetable for one. ### What happened on Taiwan and Iran? (cnbc.com) Xi Jinping used the opening day of the summit to warn Trump that mishandling Taiwan could put the U.S.-China relationship in “great jeopardy,” according to Xinhua as reported by CNBC. A U.S. readout cited by CNBC did not mention Taiwan. Trump also did not answer a reporter’s question on Taiwan while standing beside Xi. (msn.com) On Iran, Trump said China had agreed to help with negotiations and not supply military equipment to Tehran, according to CNBC. Beijing’s public language was narrower: China called for shipping lanes to reopen and for a “comprehensive and lasting ceasefire,” according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement cited by CNBC. Reuters reported Trump left without tangible Chinese help to end the Iran war. (cnbc.com) ### How much substance was behind the commercial pledges? U.S. crude exports to China have dropped sharply, which made Trump’s oil claim notable. CNBC cited U.S. government data showing crude oil exports to China fell 95% from 2023 to about 8.4 million barrels in 2025. China’s energy and foreign ministries did not immediately respond to CNBC’s requests for comment on possible U.S. oil purchases. (cnbc.com) Wendy Cutler, a former U.S. trade negotiator, told CBS News she had expected “mega purchases” of agriculture, energy and airplanes and said Trump’s team did not yet appear to have much to show. David Meale of Eurasia Group told CBS that neither side had provided a clear statement of details. Erica Downs of Columbia University told CBS she had not seen confirmation of any specific Chinese oil volume. (cnbc.com) Markets also showed caution. Boeing shares fell 3.8% on Friday, CBS reported, after the initial aircraft order came in below some analysts’ expectations. NewsNation reported investors had been looking for an order closer to 500 jets. ### What comes next after Beijing? Boeing said it expects further commitments to follow the initial 200-aircraft tranche. (cbsnews.com) The White House has said more details on the agricultural and aircraft arrangements are forthcoming, and U.S. officials have also described new “Board of Trade” and “Board of Investment” mechanisms for managing the economic relationship with China.