Geneva, Switzerland – US President Donald Trump has announced a “total reset” in trade relations with China following the first day of high-level talks between American and Chinese officials in Switzerland.
Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump described Saturday’s discussions as “very good,” stating that change was “negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner.”
The two nations have been locked in an escalating trade war for months. The US imposed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports earlier this year, prompting China to retaliate with levies of 125% on certain American goods. This weekend’s meeting in Geneva marks the first formal dialogue between the two sides since the trade dispute intensified.
Trump said, “We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business. GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!”
Talks are being held between China’s Vice-Premier He Lifeng and newly appointed US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. While few details have emerged from the discussions, talks are expected to continue through Sunday.
On Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the US would not reduce tariffs unilaterally. “China must come to the table with meaningful concessions,” she said.
Chinese state media echoed a cautiously optimistic tone, stating that Beijing had agreed to participate in the talks after carefully weighing global economic expectations, national interests, and lobbying efforts from American businesses.
Earlier reports indicated that Chinese exporters were struggling to adjust to the steep US tariffs. One firm, Sorbo Technology, noted that half its products typically destined for the US were now gathering dust in Chinese warehouses.
Meanwhile, the US economy has shown signs of strain from the ongoing trade dispute. Official figures showed a 0.3% contraction in the first quarter, as businesses rushed to import goods ahead of tariff hikes.
Tensions peaked last month when Trump declared a universal baseline tariff on all imports during what he called “Liberation Day,” targeting approximately 60 trade partners he labeled the “worst offenders”—including China and the EU.
Trump also introduced a 25% import tax on steel and aluminium, and an additional 25% on cars and car parts. However, the UK secured a separate agreement to lower tariffs on British cars to 10% for a quota of up to 100,000 vehicles—the same number exported last year. Cars are the UK’s largest export to the US, valued at around £9 billion annually.
Though details remain limited, both Washington and Beijing have signaled a desire to de-escalate trade tensions. Whether the weekend talks in Geneva lead to a lasting resolution, however, remains to be seen.
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