US and Chinese officials are preparing for talks this week aimed at reducing tensions in an escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will participate in discussions in Switzerland from May 9-12, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will lead the US delegation.
Since President Donald Trump’s return to office, his administration has imposed tariffs up to 145% on Chinese imports. Beijing has responded with retaliatory duties of up to 125% on certain US goods.
Global trade experts caution that negotiations could extend for several months. This meeting represents the first high-level engagement between the two nations since Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng attended Trump’s January inauguration.
Treasury Secretary Bessent expressed optimism about rebalancing the international economic system to better serve American interests. “My sense is that this will be about de-escalation, not about the big trade deal, but we’ve got to de-escalate before we can move forward,” he told Fox News.
A Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson responded Wednesday: “If the United States wants to resolve the issue through negotiations, it must face up to the serious negative impact of unilateral tariff measures on itself and the world.”
Chinese state media reported that Beijing agreed to engage after considering global expectations, national interests, and appeals from American businesses. The report emphasized that while China remains open to dialogue, it is prepared to “fight to the end” if necessary.
The trade tensions have disrupted financial markets and sent ripples through global trade networks.
Trade experts expressed limited optimism about immediate outcomes. “You have to start somewhere, so I’m not saying it isn’t worthwhile. Just unlikely to be the launch event people are hoping to see,” said Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation.
Henry Gao, Professor of Law at Singapore Management University and former Chinese lawyer on the World Trade Organization secretariat, added: “We should expect to see a lot of back and forth, just like what happened last time in 2018. I would expect the talks to drag on for several months or even more than a year.”
Financial markets in mainland China and Hong Kong rose on Wednesday as investors reacted to the news and additional announcements of economic support measures by Chinese authorities. US stock futures also showed gains, while investors await the US Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate decision Wednesday afternoon.
About the author
Musk Declares War On Trump Over Spending Bill And Threatens New Political Party
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has intensified his opposition to President Donald Trump's tax cuts and spending legislation while calling for the creation of a new political party. Musk's criticism targets Trump's 940-page "Big, Beautiful Bill," which includes tax breaks alongside significant reductions to healthcare and food programs. The legislation has drawn opposition from Democrats and some Republicans. In early June, Musk, who served as a major Trump campaign donor and former key adviser, labeled the bill a "disgusting abomination," triggering a public dispute with the president. The two appeared to reconcile temporarily, with Trump expressing goodwill toward Musk and the billionaire posting on X that he regretted going "too far." However, as senators prepared to vote on bill amendments Monday, Musk renewed his attacks. He declared that lawmakers who campaigned on spending cuts but supported the bill "should hang their […]
Saudi Arabia Stuns Manchester City With Historic Club World Cup Victory
Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal delivered the biggest upset of the Club World Cup tournament, defeating Manchester City 4-3 in extra time to advance to the quarterfinals. The match concluded 2-2 after regulation time on Monday, with Marcos Leonardo scoring the decisive goal in extra time to secure what many consider one of the greatest victories in Middle Eastern football history. Al Hilal will now face Brazilian club Fluminense in the quarterfinals, guaranteeing a non-European team reaches the semifinals. Manchester City opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Bernardo Silva, who converted from Rayan Ait-Nouri's cross. Al Hilal protested that Ait-Nouri had used his arm in the buildup, but the goal was allowed to stand. City created numerous opportunities to extend their advantage before halftime, but poor finishing and outstanding goalkeeping from Moroccan keeper Yassine Bounou maintained the narrow lead. […]
Iran Refuses Trump Nuclear Talks Until US Promises No More Attacks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed the possibility of immediate nuclear negotiations with the United States, despite President Trump's suggestion that talks could begin within days. Speaking on CBS Evening News Monday, Araghchi responded to Trump's timeline while G7 foreign ministers simultaneously issued statements supporting renewed dialogue on Iran's nuclear program. Iran and the US were previously engaged in nuclear discussions when Israel conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities. The US subsequently participated in attacks on Iran's Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites on June 21. While Tehran maintains its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes, both the US and Israel express concerns about potential weapons development capabilities. Araghchi indicated negotiations would require more time than Trump suggested, emphasizing Iran's need for security guarantees before reengaging. "In order for us to decide to reengage, we would have to […]
Senate Battles Through Night Over Trump’s Massive Spending Bill That Could Strip 12 Million of Healthcare
The US Senate has conducted a marathon overnight voting session on a comprehensive budget bill central to President Trump's legislative priorities. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, spanning nearly 1,000 pages, proposes increased spending for border security, defense, and energy production, balanced by reductions to healthcare and food-support programs. The legislation's future remains uncertain as Republicans, controlling both congressional chambers, are divided over the extent of welfare program cuts needed to fund tax break extensions. Following Senate approval, the bill would return to the House of Representatives for final passage before reaching Trump's desk. Senators have engaged in a "vote-a-rama" process since Monday night into Tuesday, debating and voting on individual amendments. The session has exceeded 22 hours. Vice President JD Vance arrived at Capitol Hill after 06:00 EST, suggesting Senate Republicans may require his tie-breaking vote. Republicans can afford […]
Trump Aid Cuts Could Kill 14 Million People By 2030 Says New Study
Research published in The Lancet medical journal suggests that President Donald Trump's cuts to US foreign humanitarian aid funding could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030. One-third of those projected deaths would be children, according to the study. The research indicates that low- and middle-income countries face disruption "comparable in scale to a global pandemic or a major armed conflict," said co-author Davide Rasella from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in March that over 80% of all US Agency for International Development (USAID) programmes had been cancelled. The Trump administration has characterized these cuts as eliminating wasteful spending. The reductions were overseen by Elon Musk, who was leading an initiative to reduce federal workforce size at the time. Trump has consistently stated his intention to align overseas spending […]
Major Charities Demand Shutdown of Gaza Aid System After 500 Deaths
Over 130 international charities and NGOs are demanding the closure of the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates with Israeli and US backing. The organizations report that more than 500 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid since the GHF began operations in late May, following Israel's three-month Gaza blockade. Nearly 4,000 people have been injured during the same period. Major organizations including Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International claim Israeli forces and armed groups "routinely" fire on Palestinians seeking assistance. Israel denies its soldiers deliberately target aid recipients and defends the GHF system as providing direct assistance while bypassing Hamas interference. The joint statement from leading global charities alleges the foundation violates humanitarian work principles by forcing two million people into overcrowded, militarized zones where they face daily gunfire. Since GHF operations began, near-daily reports have emerged […]
Related
Musk Declares War On Trump Over Spending Bill And Threatens New Political Party
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has intensified his opposition to President Donald Trump's tax cuts and spending legislation while calling for the creation of a new political party. Musk's criticism targets Trump's 940-page "Big, Beautiful Bill," which includes tax breaks alongside significant reductions to healthcare and food programs. The legislation has drawn opposition from Democrats and some Republicans. In early June, Musk, who served as a major Trump campaign donor and former key adviser, labeled the bill a "disgusting abomination," triggering a public dispute with the president. The two appeared to reconcile temporarily, with Trump expressing goodwill toward Musk and the billionaire posting on X that he regretted going "too far." However, as senators prepared to vote on bill amendments Monday, Musk renewed his attacks. He declared that lawmakers who campaigned on spending cuts but supported the bill "should hang their […]
Iran Refuses Trump Nuclear Talks Until US Promises No More Attacks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed the possibility of immediate nuclear negotiations with the United States, despite President Trump's suggestion that talks could begin within days. Speaking on CBS Evening News Monday, Araghchi responded to Trump's timeline while G7 foreign ministers simultaneously issued statements supporting renewed dialogue on Iran's nuclear program. Iran and the US were previously engaged in nuclear discussions when Israel conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities. The US subsequently participated in attacks on Iran's Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites on June 21. While Tehran maintains its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes, both the US and Israel express concerns about potential weapons development capabilities. Araghchi indicated negotiations would require more time than Trump suggested, emphasizing Iran's need for security guarantees before reengaging. "In order for us to decide to reengage, we would have to […]
Senate Battles Through Night Over Trump’s Massive Spending Bill That Could Strip 12 Million of Healthcare
The US Senate has conducted a marathon overnight voting session on a comprehensive budget bill central to President Trump's legislative priorities. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, spanning nearly 1,000 pages, proposes increased spending for border security, defense, and energy production, balanced by reductions to healthcare and food-support programs. The legislation's future remains uncertain as Republicans, controlling both congressional chambers, are divided over the extent of welfare program cuts needed to fund tax break extensions. Following Senate approval, the bill would return to the House of Representatives for final passage before reaching Trump's desk. Senators have engaged in a "vote-a-rama" process since Monday night into Tuesday, debating and voting on individual amendments. The session has exceeded 22 hours. Vice President JD Vance arrived at Capitol Hill after 06:00 EST, suggesting Senate Republicans may require his tie-breaking vote. Republicans can afford […]
Trump Aid Cuts Could Kill 14 Million People By 2030 Says New Study
Research published in The Lancet medical journal suggests that President Donald Trump's cuts to US foreign humanitarian aid funding could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030. One-third of those projected deaths would be children, according to the study. The research indicates that low- and middle-income countries face disruption "comparable in scale to a global pandemic or a major armed conflict," said co-author Davide Rasella from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in March that over 80% of all US Agency for International Development (USAID) programmes had been cancelled. The Trump administration has characterized these cuts as eliminating wasteful spending. The reductions were overseen by Elon Musk, who was leading an initiative to reduce federal workforce size at the time. Trump has consistently stated his intention to align overseas spending […]
Major Charities Demand Shutdown of Gaza Aid System After 500 Deaths
Over 130 international charities and NGOs are demanding the closure of the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates with Israeli and US backing. The organizations report that more than 500 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid since the GHF began operations in late May, following Israel's three-month Gaza blockade. Nearly 4,000 people have been injured during the same period. Major organizations including Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International claim Israeli forces and armed groups "routinely" fire on Palestinians seeking assistance. Israel denies its soldiers deliberately target aid recipients and defends the GHF system as providing direct assistance while bypassing Hamas interference. The joint statement from leading global charities alleges the foundation violates humanitarian work principles by forcing two million people into overcrowded, militarized zones where they face daily gunfire. Since GHF operations began, near-daily reports have emerged […]
Labour Government Faces Parliamentary Challenge Over Welfare Reform Legislation
The Labour government is preparing for a parliamentary vote on welfare changes Tuesday, following recent concessions made to address concerns from within the party. Ministers have implemented several modifications to the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill after facing internal pressure. These changes include maintaining current protections for personal independence payment (PIP) recipients from reforms scheduled for November 2026 and reversing proposed reductions to the health-related component of universal credit. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall outlined these adjustments Monday, though the response from backbench MPs remained mixed. When asked about confidence in the bill's passage, disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms stated, "I certainly hope it passes." Initially, 126 Labour MPs had supported a "reasoned amendment" from Treasury Committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier that would have blocked the legislation. Following Friday's concessions, Dame Meg characterized the changes as a […]
Be the first to leave a comment