U.S. and China Set for Key Trade Discussions in Geneva

U.S. and China Set for Key Trade Discussions in Geneva

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent is expected to meet with Chinese officials next week in Geneva, Switzerland. This momentous meeting would be May 11, 2025. President Donald Trump personally announced this bilateral meeting. It is a notable step in the long process of re-establishing better commercial ties between the two global economic heavyweights.

Joining Bessent at the meeting will be Jamieson Greer, another member of the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. Vice Premier He Lifeng will be the official Chinese representative at the event. Li Chenggang, the International Trade Representative and Vice-Minister of Commerce, will be participating. The purpose of these discussions is to promote discussion and movement on different, longstanding trade issues that have long plagued the U.S.-China relationship.

At first, announcements suggested that this high-stakes, crucial event would be held in London. But as it turned out, the location was indeed later confirmed to be Geneva, which gives the negotiations an international dimension. Bessent has been instrumental in leading the administration’s efforts to craft a potential trade deal with Beijing, reflecting the U.S. government’s commitment to advancing its position in global trade.

President Trump was ever the optimist about this meeting to come, saying, “This meeting from our standpoint should be a great meeting.” His comments underscore the administration’s need for cooperative conversation. Bringing them together to discuss these issues would calm tensions while encouraging greater trade and investment collaboration among the three countries.

The U.S. Commerce Secretary was not on Geneva delegation. She will be going to a different meeting in London at the same time that’ll focus on the UK’s broader trade agenda. This division of engagements highlights the complexity of ongoing negotiations and the multifaceted nature of trade discussions between the U.S. and China.

Tags