US, China Hold Trade Talks Ahead Trump-Xi Summit

WASHINGTON: (Web Desk) – Senior officials from China and the United States held trade discussions in Paris on Sunday, according to Chinese state media, as preparations continue for a potential summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping later this month.

The meeting brought together US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to discuss key trade issues between the world’s two largest economies.

China’s state broadcaster China Central Television reported that the two-day talks were being held at the headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris.

The diplomatic engagement comes at a time of uncertainty for the global economy, particularly as energy markets remain volatile due to the ongoing Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Beijing, a close partner of Iran, has condemned the killing of Iran’s former supreme leader while also criticising Tehran’s missile strikes against Gulf states.

In separate remarks, Trump urged China and other countries to deploy ships to safeguard shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes.

China’s foreign ministry has not yet commented on the proposal, while South Korea said it was closely monitoring the situation and officials in Japan indicated that Tokyo maintains a high threshold before taking such action.

China’s commerce ministry earlier confirmed that officials meeting in Paris would hold consultations on economic and trade matters of mutual interest but did not disclose specific details of the agenda.

Bessent, who is accompanied by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, said economic dialogue between the two countries is continuing despite tensions.

Trade Disputes Continue

Trade relations between the two powers have remained strained following a prolonged trade war in 2025 that saw tariffs rise to triple-digit levels and restrictions imposed on exports of key minerals vital to global supply chains.

Recent data also showed that Chinese exports to the United States dropped by 11 percent during the first two months of the year compared with the same period last year, although China’s overall exports rose sharply by nearly 22 percent.

Relations briefly improved after Trump and Xi met in Busan in October, but new US trade investigations announced this week have renewed concerns over possible economic tensions.

The probes focus on allegations of Chinese industrial overcapacity and forced labour practices, issues that Washington says threaten fair trade.

Trade Deficit Climbs 25% to $25bn Over Eight Months

China’s commerce ministry criticised the investigations, calling them unilateral actions that undermine the international economic system.

Meanwhile, the United States has launched similar trade inquiries involving around 60 economies, including China, to examine alleged failures to address forced labour concerns.

The investigations could take several months to conclude but may provide the basis for new tariffs following a February decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that struck down broad global tariffs introduced earlier by Trump.

The Paris discussions are widely viewed as a preparatory step ahead of Trump’s expected visit to China, which Washington says is planned for March 31 to April 2, although Beijing has not yet officially confirmed the dates.