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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described a two-day meeting with senior Chinese officials in Paris as “constructive,” noting that the dialogue reinforced the stability of the bilateral relationship.
The high-level talks, which concluded on Monday, involved Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
While the sessions were intended to finalise arrangements for President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Beijing, Washington officials confirmed that the trip—originally set for late March—is now likely to be delayed due to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The discussions took place against a backdrop of renewed trade friction, following the U.S. government’s launch of fresh investigations into industrial overcapacity and forced labour practices across 60 economies, including China.
These probes were initiated under Section 301 after a Supreme Court ruling invalidated previous tariffs imposed under emergency powers.
Jamieson Greer emphasised that while the administration is adapting its legal tools to comply with the court’s decision, the fundamental trade policy of the Trump administration remains unchanged.
Beyond trade, the geopolitical climate has added layers of complexity to the relationship, as the U.S. continues to lobby for international support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite these pressures, both sides expressed a commitment to maintaining open lines of communication.
The Paris talks are viewed as a critical stepping stone toward a future summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping, aimed at managing economic tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
