The United States and China have agreed to extend their tariff truce by 90 days, temporarily averting a sharp escalation in duties that was due to kick in this week. The extension preserves a fragile pause in tensions as negotiators weigh terms on agricultural purchases, tech export controls, and intellectual property enforcement. Markets reacted cautiously, with exporters and retailers watching import costs and supply chain timelines closely. The administration has framed the extension as leverage to secure larger concessions, while industry groups warn prolonged uncertainty is as damaging as outright tariff hikes. Analysts say the next 90 days will be decisive for consumer prices ahead of the holiday shipping window and for manufacturers facing thin margins.
