China Deal is a Key Step for Business & Consumer Certainty

By [ Blake Harden ]
Washington, DC
05/12/2025

Washington, D.C. — The Retail Industry and Leaders Association released the following statement regarding the 90-day pause of reciprocal tariffs on goods from China:
"President Trump’s announcement of an immediate de-escalation and 90-day pause to negotiate a long-term trade deal with China is welcome news to retailers grappling with tariff shocks and enormous disruption in supply chains ahead of seasonal and holiday ordering. We are hopeful the deal reached last week with the UK and today’s announcement with China will build momentum for trade deals that protect American innovation and family pocketbooks," said Blake Harden, RILA vice president, international trade.

"Retailers and our customers value the stability of permanent agreements instead of temporary policies. We applaud the administration for remaining at the negotiating table with China and the rest of our trading partners, including Canada and Mexico, to craft long-term deals that give businesses the certainty they need to invest, hire, and grow the economy."

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RILA is the U.S. trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.

RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $2.7 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and hundreds of thousands of stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.