Trending Now - US and China Begin Trade Negotiations in Paris Before Summit
WHO:
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng
U.S. President Donald Trump
Chinese leader Xi Jinping
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer
WHAT:
The U.S. Treasury Department stated that Bessent will meet He on March 15th and March 16th, 2026.
The Chinese commerce ministry indicated that the two sides are set to discuss “trade and economic issues of mutual concern” on March 15th, 2026.
The Trump administration has initiated a new trade investigation into 16 trading partners, including China, following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump’s global tariffs imposed in 2025.
Economic and trade talks began between representatives from Beijing and Washington
The meetings are expected to pave the way for Trump’s state visit to Beijing
Trump is scheduled to travel to China from March 31st to April 2nd, 2026
The visit will be the first for a U.S. president since Trump’s first term in 2017
The two sides will discuss “trade and economic issues of mutual concern”
Bessent stated his team will focus on results that prioritize America's farmers, workers, and businesses
The two leaders previously met in Busan, South Korea, five months prior and agreed to a one-year truce in a trade war
WHERE:
Paris, France
Locations of previous meetings include Geneva, London, Stockholm, Madrid, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
WHEN:
Talks began on March 15th, 2026
Trump’s state visit to China is scheduled for March 31st to April 2nd, 2026
The previous meeting between Trump and Xi took place in 2017
WHY:
The new trade investigation could pave the way for new tariffs, indicating ongoing tensions in trade relations.
The talks aim to address trade and economic issues of mutual concern between the U.S. and China
Wang Yi indicated it would be a “big year” for China-U.S. relations
HOW:
Gary Ng, a senior economist at French bank Natixis, described the Paris meeting as likely the most important bilateral one before the Xi-Trump summit.
Negotiations are being led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng
(UPDATED March 15, 2026 19:05 UTC)
Today, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that Bessent will meet with He on March 15th and 16th to discuss trade and economic issues of mutual concern, as indicated by the Chinese commerce ministry. This meeting comes on the heels of the Trump administration launching a new trade investigation into 16 trading partners, including China, following a Supreme Court ruling that overturned Trump’s global tariffs from 2025. Senior economist Gary Ng from French bank Natixis described this Paris meeting as potentially the most significant bilateral discussion leading up to the upcoming Xi-Trump summit.
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(UPDATED March 15, 2026 13:18 UTC)
Economic and trade talks have officially begun today in Paris, bringing together key figures including President Trump, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and their respective trade representatives. These discussions are aimed at addressing mutual concerns and are expected to set the stage for Trump’s upcoming state visit to China from March 31st to April 2nd, marking the first visit by a U.S. president since 2017. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the focus will be on achieving results that benefit American farmers, workers, and businesses.