TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Senior officials from the United States and China are meeting in Switzerland this weekend to discuss ways to reduce a burgeoning trade conflict sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs and Beijing's strong counter-measures.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are scheduled to hold talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva on Saturday and Sunday. These mark the first direct discussions between the two nations since Trump implemented new tariffs on Chinese goods last month.
Bessent indicated that the Geneva meeting would prioritize"de-escalation", rather than a "big trade deal", according to Channel News Asia.
Tariffs imposed on the Asian manufacturing powerhouse since the beginning of the year have now reached 145 percent, with cumulative duties on certain goods soaring to 245 percent.
In response, Beijing has levied 125 percent tariffs on U.S. goods, effectively intensifying what amounts to a trade embargo between the world's two largest economies.
Trump hinted on Friday via social media at a potential reduction in his steep tariffs on Chinese imports, suggesting that “80% Tariff on China seems right!”
However, his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, later clarified that Trump would not take such action unilaterally, adding that China would also need to offer concessions.
Positive Indicators
The head of the Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO) welcomed the talks on Friday, describing them as a “positive and constructive step toward de-escalation.”
“Sustained dialogue between the world's two largest economies is critical to easing trade tensions, preventing fragmentation along geopolitical lines and safeguarding global growth,” stated WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, according to a spokeswoman.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter also expressed optimism.
"Yesterday the Holy Spirit was in Rome," she said Friday, referring to the election of Pope Leo XIV. "We must hope that he will now go down to Geneva for the weekend."
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