Trump softens tone as US-China trade talks are set for next week
The upcoming round of US-China trade talks is scheduled for next week, where Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice Premier He Lifeng will engage in negotiations aimed at reducing new escalatory measures between the world’s two largest economies. Bessent stated that he had a virtual conversation with He on Friday evening, describing the discussions as “frank and detailed” and confirming plans to meet in person next week. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also participated in the online talks. “He and I, and a delegation, will meet in Malaysia — probably a week from tomorrow, to prepare for the two presidents to meet,” Bessent said earlier at a White House event. Sources reported that the two sides had a “frank, in-depth, and constructive exchange of views” on key issues concerning bilateral economic and trade relations.
Bessent’s remarks followed President Donald Trump’s expression of optimism regarding discussions with Chinese officials, which he believed could lead to an agreement to alleviate tensions that had prompted threats of significant tariff hikes. These comments collectively indicated Washington’s efforts to ease concerns about a potential trade war with Beijing that could have far-reaching implications for the global economy. “I believe we are performing exceptionally. I think we’re getting along with China,” Trump said, expressing confidence that his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping — scheduled later this month in South Korea during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit — would proceed as planned.
Just a week earlier, however, Trump had threatened to cancel his first in-person meeting with Xi since returning to the White House, angered by Beijing’s vow to impose controls on critical rare-earth elements. He had also announced a complete import surtax on Chinese goods, set to take effect on November 1. On Friday, Trump described the reinstatement of elevated tariffs as “not sustainable” during an interview. Earlier this year, Washington and Beijing reached a temporary truce: the US paused 145 percent tariffs on Chinese goods while China pledged to resume the flow of rare-earth magnets. That agreement is set to expire in November.
The forthcoming discussions represent the latest effort to stabilize trade ties following four prior rounds of negotiations between Bessent and He in Madrid, Stockholm, London, and Geneva. Kuala Lumpur — the capital of Malaysia and host of next week’s ASEAN summit — will serve as the venue for the renewed talks, expected to draw numerous world leaders. “I think things have de-escalated,” Bessent said on Friday. “We hope that China will show the respect that we have shown them. And I am confident that President Trump, because of his relationship with President Xi, will be able to get things back on a good course.”
