US and China Still Continuing Day 2 of Negotiations
Top officials from the United States and China began their second day of talks in Stockholm on Tuesday, aiming to extend their current tariffs beyond the 90-day period set to expire in two weeks. The negotiations are seen as critical to maintaining trade stability and ensuring global economic security.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrived at the meeting venue shortly before 10:30 a.m. local time. This marks their third round of discussions in less than three months. The agenda includes sensitive issues such as export controls, US tariffs related to fentanyl trade, and China's sanctioned oil purchases from Russia and Iran.
No public statements were made after the first day of talks on Monday, suggesting that discussions are still in a delicate phase. However, Bessent has indicated that a possible extension of the current tariff pause is likely. He stated that US-China trade relations are “in a very good place” at the moment.
Any breakthrough could pave the way for a meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, possibly later this year during a major summit in South Korea. Last month, Xi extended a formal invitation to Trump and First Lady Melania to visit China, although no date has been confirmed yet.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions remain. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te reportedly canceled an upcoming overseas trip after the Trump administration refused a US stopover. Trump also faces growing criticism in Washington for allegedly giving too much ground in pursuit of a deal with Xi. Still, many analysts see these talks as a key moment for the future of US-China trade relations.
Source: Newsmaker.id
