US treasury secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday said trade negotiations with China were “a bit stalled” and suggested president Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, could get involved.
“I would say that they are a bit stalled,” Bessent told broadcaster Fox News when asked about trade talks with Beijing.
“I believe that we will be having more talks with them in the next few weeks, and I believe we may, at some point, have a call between the president and party chair Xi,” he added.
The world’s two biggest economies agreed this month to pause reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, a surprise de-escalation in their bitter trade war following talks between top officials in Geneva.
Under the 12 May truce, Washington agreed to temporarily reduce the tariff on Chinese imports to 30% from 145%, while China said it would lower its import duty on American goods to 10% from 125%.
“I think that given the magnitude of the talks, given the complexity, that this is going to require both leaders to weigh in with each other,” Bessent said.
“They have a very good relationship, and I am confident that the Chinese will come to the table when president Trump makes his preferences known.”
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