China's Ministry of Commerce stated Saturday that tariffs were discussed during President Trump's visit, directly contradicting Trump's Friday assertion that no tariff talks occurred. The Chinese government said the countries agreed in principle to reduce tariffs on products affecting each side, creating confusion about the summit's actual outcomes.

Both nations will establish separate trade and investment boards to oversee tariff reductions affecting $30 billion of goods on each side, according to U.S. officials. China committed to resolving issues around bonsai trees, dairy, and aquatic products, while agreeing to purchase aircraft and components from U.S. manufacturers. The preliminary agreements cover agricultural trade and aviation sales, though details remain under negotiation.

Trump's conflicting public statements have muddied the trade narrative, with the president claiming tariffs "weren't brought up" despite Chinese confirmation they were discussed. The contradictory messaging suggests potential miscommunication between U.S. and Chinese delegations, raising questions about how seriously markets should take the announced tariff reductions. With implementation details still unclear, investors face uncertainty about the actual timeline for relief.