President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are slated to meet next week in what the former hopes will bring about a “great trade deal.”

The promotional products industry hopes so, too, as the tariff pause for imports from China expires on Nov. 10.

If a new deal or another extension isn’t reached by then, blanket tariffs on Chinese imports will jump from the current 30% to 145%, which is where they stood in April when the tariff war between the world’s largest trading nations was at its peak.

ICYMI: What Are Current Tariff Rates? Find Out In PPAI’s Free Download

New Export Rules

Despite the ongoing negotiations, Beijing recently expanded export rules on rare earths, announcing that it will require foreign firms to obtain approval from the Chinese government to export magnets containing even tiny amounts of China-originated rare earth materials or produced with Chinese technology, The Associated Press reported.

  • These minerals are used in laptops, phones, LED TVs and monitors, headphones, gaming consoles and other technology products.


Under the new mandate, “a South Korean smartphone maker must ask for Beijing’s permission to sell the devices to Australia if the phones contain China-originated rare earth materials,” according to Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative.

“This rule gives China control over basically the entire global economy in the technology supply chain,” Greer said.


Promo suppliers specializing in tech products told PPAI Media that they’re closely monitoring the situation.

I’m hopeful that after November 1 we’ll have the clarity and stability companies like ours need to continue operating and innovating with confidence.”

Jeff Roberts

CEO, iClick

“While the new rare earth export measures could impact our industry, it’s too early to predict how negotiations will unfold,” says Jeff Roberts, CEO of iClick, PPAI 100’s No. 47 supplier.

  • iClick ranked No. 1 in searches for USB drives and phone accessories in 2024, according to PPAI technology partner SAGE.


“I expect more announcements like this from both sides until they meet. I’m hopeful that after November 1 we’ll have the clarity and stability companies like ours need to continue operating and innovating with confidence.”