China extends tariff suspensions on US cars, parts

“It is a positive reaction to the U.S. decision to delay tariff hikes and a concrete action … to promote bilateral trade negotiations,” the council said.

“We hope the U.S. can work together with China, accelerate negotiations and make concrete efforts towards the goal of terminating trade tensions,” it added.

It is not immediately clear how long the new suspensions will last.  

In December, China said it would suspend the tariffs until April 1 as officials from Washington and Beijing continued trade negotiations.

The White House said last week that progress was being made in the talks.

China and the U.S. have been engaged in a tit-for-tat trade dispute over the last year.

Last year, President Trump imposed steep tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports in a bid to pressure Beijing on a range of issues that include intellectual property and technology transfer.

Beijing responded with tariffs that triggered steep cuts in sales of soybeans and other products in China from U.S. farmers.