U.S. and China to Engage in High-Level Talks Amid Ongoing Trade Tensions
The United States and China are poised to engage in significant discussions this weekend in Switzerland, marking the first major meeting between the two countries since the initiation of trade tensions under President Donald Trump. The meeting in Geneva will see Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confronting their Chinese counterparts, as announced by the Trump administration on Tuesday.
Concerns are intensifying in the U.S. regarding the effect of tariffs on consumer goods’ prices and supply. Since President Trump’s announcement of tariffs on April 2, a tit-for-tat tariff war has ensued, with U.S. tariffs on Chinese products reaching 145% and Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods at 125%. This trade conflict has hit China, the world’s largest exporter and second-largest economy, particularly hard.
American companies have started to cancel their orders from China and delay expansion plans as the trade war’s impacts become more pronounced. Bessent highlighted on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” that China has been a key missing piece in U.S. trade negotiations. He remarked that the current situation “isn’t sustainable… especially on the Chinese side,” and described the high tariffs as akin to an embargo, emphasizing the U.S. desire for fair trade rather than complete economic separation.
Despite President Trump’s claims of ongoing negotiations to reduce tariffs, Beijing has denied these assertions, insisting that the U.S. must first lower its tariffs. The Chinese Commerce Ministry confirmed the upcoming meeting between Vice Premier and Bessent in Switzerland, stating that they agreed to contact the U.S. after considering global expectations and internal interests.
China’s spokesperson emphasized that any agreement would not compromise China’s principles or global equity. Economists have noted that the tariff costs are likely to be transferred to consumers, leading to increased prices for various goods and contributing to growing concerns about a potential recession.
Wendy Cutler, a former U.S. trade official currently at the Asia Society Policy Institute, noted the significance of the meeting as the first face-to-face encounter between senior officials since President Trump took office. “While this meeting is a crucial step to discuss unwinding tariffs and addressing concerns, it is unlikely to yield immediate results,” Cutler remarked.
In addition to meeting with Chinese officials, Bessent and Greer are scheduled to confer with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter. Both U.S. officials have maintained prior communications with their Chinese counterparts, with Greer recounting a constructive discussion before the trade war’s inception, emphasizing that the U.S. plan aims to bolster the American economy rather than isolate China.
In February, Bessent engaged in dialogue with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to exchange perspectives on the bilateral economic relationship, as reported by a Treasury news release.
