China open to tariff, subsidy talks with U.S. ahead of 2026 WTO summit
China has expressed readiness to engage with the United States on key trade issues, including tariffs, subsidies, and industrial policies, as part of broader discussions on reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) ahead of the 2026 ministerial summit in Cameroon.
A senior delegate from China’s mission to the WTO, speaking on condition of anonymity due to protocol, said Beijing is willing to address many of the concerns Washington has raised particularly around trade practices the U.S. deems unfair or obstructive to WTO reform.
“We’ve heard every word from the U.S. and are open to talking about tariffs, industrial policy, and even the special benefits China receives as a developing country,” the official said.
The announcement follows months of heightened tensions between the world’s two largest economies, largely over tariffs introduced during and after the Trump administration, as well as retaliatory measures by China. The friction has centered on Special and Differential Treatment (SDT), a WTO provision that allows developing countries certain trade advantages, such as higher tariffs and domestic subsidies.
While the Chinese delegate emphasized that China’s classification as a developing country is non-negotiable, they indicated that Beijing may choose notto invoke SDT in upcoming negotiations, much as it has refrained from doing so in past talks on fisheries and domestic regulations.
However, analysts remain cautious. Keith M. Rockwell, a former WTO spokesperson and current senior fellow at the Hinrich Foundation, voiced scepticism, particularly about China relinquishing SDT benefits in sensitive sectors like agriculture.
The U.S., for its part, argues that self-declared developing country status has allowed major economies such as China and Saudi Arabia to secure unfair competitive advantages, undermining the WTO’s mission of fair and balanced trade.
In a notable shift, the Chinese delegate also signaled a willingness to renegotiate tariff commitments under Article 28 of the WTO Agreement, which allows members to revise their trade obligations under defined conditions.
“We welcome the U.S. to come back to the WTO. We are ready to renegotiate on Article 28 if the U.S. raises their requests here,” the official emphasized.
Despite the constructive tone, the delegate warned that China will not accept pressure to alter its economic model. However, they added that Beijing is open to subsidy discussions provided there is mutual goodwill.
