China's major decision: Import tariffs will be reduced on 935 items from 2026:

News Topical, Digital Desk : China will impose temporary import tariff rates lower than most-favored-nation rates on 935 items. The move is aimed at addressing criticism that China imports too little, focusing more on its own trade surplus. The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced that the new tariff rates will take effect from January 1, 2026.

It said the lower tariffs aim to enhance synergy between domestic and international markets and better leverage the resources of both while expanding the supply of high-quality goods.

For example, China will reduce tariffs on some key components and advanced materials to support high-level technological self-reliance, on some resources to facilitate green development, and on some medical products including artificial blood vessels to improve people's well-being, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, citing the commission's circular.

Next year, the country will also optimize tariff headings and national subheading notes. To support the development of sectors such as technological advancement and the circular economy, China will add national subheadings for products such as intelligent bionic robots and bio-aviation kerosene.

Being a trading country, China's foreign trade was $41.21 trillion, up 3.6% from last year, with exports amounting to about $3.46 trillion and imports $2.37 trillion, as reported by Chinese official media and according to official data released by China's General Administration of Customs.

In recent years, China has faced criticism for focusing more on exports to the world and reducing imports. The circular states that in order to deepen economic and trade cooperation and promote regional integration, China will continue to apply agreed tariff rates on certain imported goods from its 34 trading partners in 2026, in accordance with the 24 free trade agreements and preferential trade arrangements signed with the aforementioned trading partners.

It said that next year, China will also maintain zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines for the 43 least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China.