US-China trade talks: low-key start to negotiations after first meeting in Paris

US and Chinese officials concluded the first day of trade negotiations in Paris on Sunday with no major breakthroughs reported. The sixth round of talks, led by Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, took place at the OECD headquarters. Discussions spanned two sessions, with breaks for lunch, and are scheduled to continue on Monday. The US delegation is expected to depart after Monday's talks, while the Chinese delegation will remain for an additional day. Neither delegation provided any comments to the media regarding the progress or outcome of the discussions. The aim of the talks is to address ongoing trade disputes between the world's two largest economies.

U.S. and Chinese representatives, led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, began trade talks in Paris on Sunday. The meeting aims to pave the way for U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to Beijing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in late March/early April. Discussions are expected to cover trade and economic issues of mutual concern, though specific details remain undisclosed. Trade tensions persist, highlighted by a recent U.S. trade investigation into several countries, including China. The Iran war and potential cooperation in securing the Strait of Hormuz may also be addressed. This Paris meeting is considered a crucial precursor to the upcoming Xi-Trump summit.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met in Paris on Sunday to discuss trade issues ahead of a potential summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping later in March. The two-day talks, held at the OECD headquarters, aim to resolve disagreements over US tariffs, Chinese rare earth mineral exports, US export controls, and Chinese agricultural purchases. The meeting follows a period of trade tensions in 2025 and recent US probes into Chinese industrial practices. While the US has announced Trump will visit China from March 31 to April 2, China has yet to confirm the dates. The Paris discussions are viewed as crucial for setting the stage for a productive presidential summit.

Senior officials from China and the United States began a new round of trade talks in Paris on Sunday. The delegations, led by Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, met at the OECD headquarters. The talks aim to prepare for a potential visit by US President Donald Trump to Beijing later this month. Accompanying He was China’s top international trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, while Bessent was joined by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The location in Paris was chosen for security reasons, coinciding with French local elections. OECD head Mathias Cormann greeted the delegations, as French officials were absent due to the domestic elections.

US and Chinese senior officials, including Vice-Premier He Lifeng and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, will meet in Paris this weekend to discuss trade. The talks, taking place from March 14-17, are intended to prepare for a summit between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump later in March. Discussions will likely cover potential agreements on tariffs, investment, trade in soybeans, and rare earths. Analysts suggest that the meeting aims to maintain the current trade truce, as China seeks economic stability and the US focuses on upcoming midterm elections. Both sides appear to have a short-term interest in avoiding further escalation of trade tensions.

U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators will meet in Paris on Sunday and Monday to prepare for a potential trade deal. The talks are scheduled ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's planned visit to Beijing at the end of the month. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. This will be the sixth round of trade discussions between Bessent and He. The purpose of the meeting is to make progress on trade negotiations between the two countries.