PARIS: Senior economic officials from the United States and China are set to begin a new round of trade talks in Paris on Sunday aimed at easing tensions and preparing the ground for a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month in Beijing.
The negotiations will be led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is also expected to join the discussions.
According to sources familiar with the planning, the talks will take place at the headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.
Focus on tariffs and rare earth supply
Officials from both sides are expected to address key issues affecting bilateral trade, including US tariffs on Chinese goods, China’s supply of rare earth minerals and magnets to American companies, US export controls on advanced technologies, and Chinese purchases of US agricultural products.
Analysts say the talks are aimed at maintaining stability in economic relations between the world’s two largest economies following months of tensions.
Scott Kennedy, a China economics expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said both sides were likely seeking to prevent renewed trade conflict.
“Both sides have a minimum goal of maintaining dialogue and avoiding a rupture or re-escalation of tensions,” he said.
Limited expectations for breakthrough
Trade experts believe the chances of a major agreement remain limited due to the short preparation time and global attention focused on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Trump is expected to seek Chinese commitments to purchase additional US exports, including aircraft from Boeing, liquefied natural gas and soybeans.
In return, analysts say Washington may face pressure to ease restrictions on high-tech exports to China.
Global tensions may influence talks
The conflict involving Iran and its impact on global energy markets may also be discussed during the Paris meeting.
The closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz has pushed oil prices higher, affecting major importers including China, which receives nearly 45 percent of its oil supplies through the route.
The latest talks follow a trade truce reached by Trump and Xi in October 2025 during a summit in Busan, South Korea, which reduced tariffs and paused certain trade restrictions between the two countries.
Observers say the Paris discussions may help maintain momentum ahead of the planned Beijing summit and other potential meetings later this year, including at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and the Group of Twenty gathering.