The U.S. and China will begin economic talks this weekend in Switzerland, marking the first formal negotiations since the escalation of the trade war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva to discuss tariffs and trade policy. “We have shared interests,” Bessent said, calling the current tariff levels “the equivalent of an embargo” and “not sustainable.”
He emphasized the talks are focused on de-escalation rather than a sweeping trade deal. Stock futures rose after the meetings were announced. President Trump recently raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145 percent, prompting retaliatory measures from Beijing. Greer stressed that the administration’s goal is to “rebalance our trade relations” and “protect America’s economic and national security.” Both U.S. officials are also expected to meet with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter during the weekend visit.
