In a bid to ease tensions and reduce the impact of the ongoing trade war, senior U.S. and Chinese officials convened in Geneva this weekend for high-stakes discussions.
The meeting, which marks the first formal talks since President Donald Trump’s imposition of heavy tariffs on Chinese goods, was seen as a crucial step toward de-escalation.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in closed-door discussions aimed at resolving the trade conflict.
The talks, which began late on Saturday morning, were held in a discreet location to ensure privacy, with both delegations opting for separate hotels to avoid public attention. While the precise venue remained confidential, Chinese state media confirmed that the discussions were underway.
The trade war, ignited by Trump’s aggressive tariff actions, has resulted in a staggering 145% tariff on Chinese goods, with some U.S. duties hitting as high as 245%. In retaliation, Beijing imposed 125% tariffs on U.S. exports, deepening the economic rift between the two global superpowers.
On Friday, President Trump suggested the possibility of lowering tariffs on Chinese imports, a move aimed at defusing tensions. However, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that any reduction would require reciprocal concessions from China.
Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, emphasized that the U.S. would not make unilateral reductions, stressing the need for China to negotiate in good faith.
The U.S.-China trade relationship is currently at a low point, with escalating tariffs from both sides and deteriorating diplomatic ties. Bill Reinsch, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that while the relationship is fraught with challenges, the talks represent a positive step. “The fact that both sides are engaging in dialogue is important in itself,” he said.
Beijing has consistently insisted that the U.S. must lift its tariffs first, signaling its firm stance in the negotiations. Bessent, however, underscored that the talks in Geneva would focus on de-escalation rather than achieving a comprehensive trade deal.
The discussions come on the heels of a new trade agreement between the U.S. and the United Kingdom, marking Trump’s first post-tariff trade deal. Under the non-legally binding agreement, the U.S. agreed to provide some relief from tariffs on British cars, steel, and aluminum, while the U.K. opened its markets to American beef and farm products.
Despite this breakthrough, a baseline 10% tariff remains in place on most British goods, though there are hints of flexibility depending on future negotiations.
World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed the U.S.-China talks, calling them a “positive and constructive step” toward reducing tensions.
With both sides showing signs of willingness to engage, the international community watches closely, hoping these discussions may mark the beginning of a path to resolution in one of the world’s most significant economic disputes.
