This weekend, senior U.S. officials will engage in significant discussions with a high-ranking delegation from China in Switzerland, marking the first major talks since the onset of the trade war initiated by former President Donald Trump through the imposition of tariffs on imports.

Participants in the Meeting

Joining the discussions will be U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent alongside trade representative Jamieson Greer. They are expected to meet their Chinese counterparts in Geneva, amidst rising concerns within the U.S. regarding the impact of tariffs on consumer goods.

According to official sources, this gathering represents the highest-level dialogues between the two nations in several months.

Context of the Talks

Despite claiming that negotiations might be underway to reduce tariffs, Trump has faced pushback from Beijing, which maintains that any decrease in tariffs must come from the U.S. first. In a statement before a House committee, Bessent noted that “the U.S. and China have not engaged in negotiations,” though he hinted at upcoming trade deals with some of the U.S.’s largest trading partners being announced shortly.

Chinese Response and Expectations

The Chinese Commerce Ministry confirmed the forthcoming meeting, stating, “The Chinese side carefully evaluated the information from the U.S. side and decided to agree to have contact after fully considering global expectations, Chinese interests, and calls from U.S. businesses and consumers.”

Historic Links and Future Prospects

Prior to the trade war’s escalation, Greer had communicated with his Chinese counterpart for over an hour, describing the conversation as constructive and emphasizing that the strategy is aimed at strengthening the American economy, not encircling China. Similarly, Bessent had discussions with Vice Premier He Lifeng in February regarding the bilateral economic relationship.