The president has backtracked repeatedly on his tariff policies, creating a whiplash with downsides and few clear benefits so far.

The Trump administration has made moves to ease tariff tensions with China, but the situation remains uncertain in the longterm.

Monday's announcement of a temporary reduction in import tariffs is only the latest chapter in a nearly eight-year trade dispute that began during President Donald Trump's first term. The agreement, which followed discussions between American and Chinese representatives in Geneva,