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

The White House backed off from the steepest levies, as the costs of an all-out trade war with China threatened global economic growth.

GENEVA — The United States and China have agreed to temporarily slash reciprocal tariffs in a deal that surpassed expectations as the world’s two biggest economies seek to end a damaging trade war that has stoked fears of recession and roiled financial markets.