US-China Trade Talks Resume in Madrid Amidst Ongoing Tensions
Trade negotiations between China and the United States have resumed in Madrid, Spain, as the two countries seek to resolve their differences on trade and technology. The talks, which began on Monday, are expected to continue through Wednesday and aim to address some of the thorniest issues in the bilateral relationship.
The meetings are being led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, and are taking place at Spain’s foreign ministry. Officials from both nations were seen entering the ministry’s headquarters on Monday morning, marking the start of the latest round of discussions.
The agenda for the talks includes President Donald Trump’s threat of steep tariffs on Chinese imports and Washington’s demand that TikTok be sold to a non-Chinese owner or face a US ban by September 17. These issues have been major points of contention between the two countries, and have contributed to the escalation of trade tensions earlier this year.
In recent months, trade tensions between the US and China have been high, with both countries imposing tariffs on each other’s goods. However, in a temporary truce, the US imposed 30 percent duties on imports of Chinese goods, while China hit US products with a 10 percent levy. This truce is set to expire in November, adding urgency to the current talks.
China has urged the US to resolve disputes “on the basis of mutual respect and equal consultations.” Despite the ongoing talks, tensions remain high, with China launching investigations into the US semiconductor sector over the weekend.
The meetings in Madrid could lay the groundwork for a possible summit between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this year. Until then, negotiators face the challenge of stabilizing the uneasy truce while addressing disputes over technology access, tariffs, and rare earth exports.
The outcome of these talks will be closely watched, as the US and China are the world’s two largest economies, and their trade relationship has a significant impact on the global economy. The current tensions between the two countries have already had far-reaching consequences, including disrupting supply chains and affecting businesses around the world. A successful resolution to these talks could help to ease tensions and promote greater economic cooperation between the US and China.
