Trade talks between the United States and China have hit a roadblock, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitting that negotiations are moving at a slower pace than anticipated. The stalemate may necessitate intervention from the leaders of both countries to break the impasse. This development comes after US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, citing an unfair trade imbalance, which Beijing responded to by increasing its own tariffs.

The trade tensions between the two nations escalated in April when Trump raised duties on Chinese goods to as high as 145%. China retaliated by hiking its tariffs to 125%. However, earlier this month, both countries agreed to temporarily roll back or suspend most of the new duties for 90 days, pending further negotiations. Despite this effort to ease tensions, Bessent described the current state of the talks as “a bit stalled” during an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Thursday.

Bessent expressed optimism that the talks would resume in the coming weeks and hinted at a possible phone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He emphasized the importance of the leaders’ involvement, given the complexity of the negotiations. “Given the magnitude and complexity of the talks, this is going to require both leaders to weigh in with each other. They have a very good relationship. I am confident that the Chinese will come to the table,” Bessent said.

Meanwhile, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has overruled a suspension of tariffs ordered by the Court of International Trade, ensuring that the tariffs will remain in place until at least June 9. Bessent argued that court interference in the tariffs was “highly inappropriate,” given the Senate’s decision not to block Trump’s trade policies. He emphasized that the president has the right to set the trade agenda for the US and that court intervention would harm American interests.

China has condemned Trump’s tariffs, viewing them as a means to advance US interests at the expense of other countries. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated, “Tariff wars and trade wars have no winners. Protectionism harms the interests of all parties and is ultimately unpopular.” The stalemate in trade negotiations between the US and China has significant implications for global trade and the economy, with both sides facing potential losses if a resolution is not reached.