Leaving so soon? US, China hold briefest trade talks yet before leaders’ summit

Senior trade officials from the United States and China concluded their latest round of negotiations in Seoul on Wednesday after less than four hours. This marks the shortest meeting since talks began last year. The session, led by Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, occurred just hours before US President Donald Trump's arrival in Beijing. Unlike previous meetings, which typically lasted two days and included press briefings, officials did not speak to the media following this brief encounter. The brevity of the talks suggests a potentially different approach to the ongoing trade discussions between the two nations.