In a recent interview with U.S. media, Trade Representative Greer outlined Washington’s evolving stance on China — signaling that while the Trump administration welcomes dialogue, it remains deeply skeptical about China’s commitments. Her comments provide a clear look at the framework shaping upcoming trade policy decisions.
1. “Trust but Verify” — The U.S. Approach to China’s Commitments
Greer stated bluntly that the U.S. government does not trust China to fulfill its trade commitments without verification. The U.S. plans to implement real-time monitoring and performance evaluations to track China’s compliance — or, as China would put it, “listen to the words, watch the actions.”
This signals that even after the recent high-level meeting between President Trump and President Xi — which brought temporary optimism through tariff reductions and export relaxations — Washington remains cautious. Future tariff or policy adjustments will depend on whether Beijing delivers tangible results.
2.The “Orderly Decoupling” Strategy
Greer also confirmed that the U.S. will continue pursuing an “orderly decoupling” from China.
Unlike the abrupt “decouple now” rhetoric of past years, this approach emphasizes gradual separation in manufacturing and technology sectors.
Why gradual? Because the U.S. industrial base is not yet ready to fully replace Chinese manufacturing. Immediate decoupling could backfire, raising costs and slowing supply chains. Therefore, the U.S. aims to “buy time” — diversifying production to Mexico, Southeast Asia, and India while maintaining partial reliance on China in the short term.
3.⃣ The 301 Investigation Returns
Greer revealed that the U.S. is reviving the Section 301 investigation, focusing on China’s compliance with the Phase One Trade Agreement signed in 2019.
The investigation is expected to conclude by the end of November, and officials anticipate finding “examples of China deceiving the U.S.”
If so, new trade sanctions could be announced by late November or early December, adding another layer of uncertainty to U.S.–China trade flows — particularly for sectors like electronics, solar products, furniture, and raw materials.
4.⃣ What It Means for Global Trade and Importers
From a logistics perspective, these developments underscore a familiar pattern: policy optimism followed by caution.
Even if tariffs ease temporarily, the broader U.S.–China relationship remains strategically competitive. Importers should stay alert to possible tariff rebounds, customs scrutiny, or shifting compliance requirements as early as Q4 2025.
For importers sourcing from China, the key takeaway is flexibility — maintaining diversified supply channels while leveraging China’s cost efficiency and mature logistics infrastructure.
How Zcyt Logistics Can Help
At Zcyt Logistics, we understand how geopolitical shifts impact your business.
Our door-to-door DDP solutions and flexible sea freight services from China to the U.S., Europe, and Mexico are designed to minimize risks and lower import costs, even amid changing trade dynamics.
We’ll continue to monitor the policy environment and provide updates to help importers make informed logistics decisions.