Washington: Senior trade officials from the United States and China are expected to meet in mid March as both countries prepare for a high level summit between their leaders later this month.
According to a report by Reuters citing Bloomberg News, the meeting will bring together US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. The talks are expected to take place in Paris and will serve as groundwork for a planned summit between US President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The upcoming discussions come at a sensitive time for relations between the two largest economies in the world. Trade tensions, technology restrictions and wider geopolitical concerns have created uncertainty in global markets.
One of the key issues expected to be discussed is trade commitments. China is believed to be considering fresh purchases of American goods, including aircraft from Boeing and agricultural products such as soybeans. Such purchases could help ease tensions and reduce the trade imbalance that has long concerned Washington.
Tariffs are also likely to be part of the talks. A recent decision by the US Supreme Court limited the administration’s authority to impose certain duties that were aimed at addressing concerns over fentanyl flows. The ruling has added a new legal dimension to trade negotiations and may influence how both sides approach future agreements.
Beyond tariffs, both governments are expected to raise issues related to investment rules, technology access and national security concerns. In recent years, restrictions on advanced chips and scrutiny of technology companies have deepened mistrust. Analysts say progress in these areas could help stabilize the broader relationship.
The mid March meeting is seen as an important test. If trade officials can narrow differences and agree on practical steps, it could pave the way for a more productive summit between Trump and Xi later this month.
For now, markets and businesses around the world are watching closely, as any breakthrough or setback between the United States and China could have far reaching economic consequences.