DOMINANT ANGLE
Belgrade is measuring the actual scope of the US-China trade agreement, cautious in the face of a summit that local press deems lacking in major breakthroughs despite the announcement of $30 billion in tariff cuts.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Reduction of customs duties on $30 billion worth of "non-sensitive" goods in each direction: US agricultural products, wood, and cosmetics in exchange for small Chinese appliances, toys, and decorations
- 02
China has committed, according to the White House, to importing at least 10 million metric tons of US coal in 2027 and 2028
- 03
A communication channel for AI-related incidents has been established, with a dedicated dialogue on this technology scheduled for November, while the Chinese statement on the military memorandum is only one page long
ANALYSIS
Belgrade, September 27, 2026. Following Xi Jinping's return to Beijing, confirmed Friday by the Xinhua agency, the Serbian press cautiously summarizes the agreement concluded in Washington between the two leading world economic powers. According to Beta and Blic, citing separate statements from the White House and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two countries will reduce their customs duties on "non-sensitive" goods worth $30 billion, in each direction: American agricultural products, wood, and cosmetics in exchange for Chinese small appliances, toys, and decorations.
The trade council mentioned by the two capitals has already begun its work this week, the White House specifies, as reported by Beta. Belgrade also notes that the trade truce, which was set to expire on November 10, has been extended by two months, an additional deadline for negotiations, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent, quoted by Blic.
On the military and technological front, the two parties have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding strengthening crisis communication between their armies and establishing a dedicated channel for artificial intelligence-related incidents, with a dialogue exclusively devoted to this technology scheduled for November. But the Chinese statement, Beta notes, is only one page long and remains sparse on details.
The Serbian press points out a discrepancy between the scope of the diplomatic staging and the meagerness of the announced results: "the summit did not bring about significant advances," Beta writes, while emphasizing that some experts consider these steps towards increased cooperation important, as they allow the two powers to form working groups that can prevent escalation. Blic adds that the three days of summit, completed on Friday, mainly focused on personal diplomacy, without any major publicized breakthrough, according to Reuters.
Another element noted by Belgrade is China's commitment, announced by the White House, to import at least 10 million metric tons of American coal in 2027 and 2028, a concrete commercial gesture amidst more symbolic announcements. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, for his part, judged that Xi's visit had enriched constructive and stable relations and opened a new chapter, a positive assessment that the Serbian press reports without endorsing it.
