Senior officials from the United States and China have begun a new round of economic and trade discussions in Paris, a development that could set the stage for an upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The negotiations are being led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who met in the French capital on Sunday to address ongoing trade and economic concerns between the two global powers.
Diplomatic Efforts Before Planned Presidential Visit
According to the White House, President Trump is expected to visit China from March 31 to April 2 for high-level talks with President Xi. While U.S. officials have confirmed the trip, authorities in China have not yet formally announced the visit.
Officials say the Paris negotiations are intended to prepare the groundwork for discussions between the two leaders and to explore ways to stabilize economic relations.
Bessent recently emphasized that the U.S. delegation’s goal is to secure agreements that benefit American workers, farmers, and businesses. Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Commerce said the talks would focus on “trade and economic issues of mutual concern.”
Trade Frictions Continue to Challenge Relations
Despite renewed engagement, trade tensions remain a central issue between the United States and China.
The Trump administration has launched a new trade investigation involving 16 trading partners, including China. The inquiry follows a court ruling that struck down a previous set of sweeping global tariffs imposed by the administration last year. The new investigation could potentially lead to additional tariffs.
Chinese officials have criticized the move, arguing that it risks undermining global supply chains and creating instability in international trade.
In addition, the United States has opened another investigation into imported products suspected of being produced with forced labor in several countries, including China. The issue has become another point of friction in bilateral economic relations.
Global Security Concerns May Enter Talks
Beyond trade, geopolitical issues may also surface during the discussions. Rising tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and growing uncertainty in global energy markets have heightened concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments.
President Trump recently urged several countries — including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom — to help maintain maritime security and ensure safe passage through the strategic waterway.
Key Moment for U.S.–China Relations
Experts say the Paris meeting could be one of the most significant diplomatic engagements before the anticipated Trump–Xi summit.
Economist Gary Ng of Natixis noted that the major challenge for both countries is finding ways to manage their disagreements while maintaining areas of cooperation. Analysts say Beijing remains wary of shifting U.S. policy positions, while Washington continues to push for changes in trade practices.
High-level negotiations between Bessent and He have been ongoing since last year, with previous meetings held in cities such as Geneva, London, Stockholm, Madrid, and Kuala Lumpur.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently indicated that 2026 could be a pivotal year for U.S.-China relations, noting that plans for additional high-level exchanges are already under consideration.
As the Paris discussions continue, global markets and policymakers will be closely monitoring whether the talks lead to progress ahead of the potential summit between the two leaders.
