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US-China trade war
EconomyChina Economy

US-China trade talks: low-key start to negotiations after first meeting in Paris

Discussions expected to focus on trade, investment and rare earths ahead of crucial Xi-Trump summit later this month in Beijing

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The Chinese delegation arrives in Paris for trade talks with the United States on Sunday. The first meeting between the world’s two biggest economies proved to be a low-key affair. Photo: EPA
Xiaofei Xuin Paris
China and the US ended the first day of trade talks in Paris on Sunday without any major developments. Talks will continue tomorrow when the US delegation is set to leave. The Chinese delegation will stay one more day before leaving on Tuesday.
The first day of the sixth round of trade talks between the world’s two biggest economies – led by Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent – was rather uneventful for journalists waiting outside the venue, the headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
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Vice-Premier He was accompanied by Li Chenggang, China’s top international trade negotiator, and Bessent was with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Discussions started at 10.05am local time and lasted for roughly two and a half hours before they took a lunch break. The Chinese delegation left the venue while the US members stayed inside. Staff members from the US side could be seen bringing in takeaway bags from Schwartz’s Deli, a Canadian chain specialising in sandwiches.

Preliminary framework agreed ahead of Trump-Xi meeting

Preliminary framework agreed ahead of Trump-Xi meeting

Talks resumed at around 2.15pm local time and lasted until 6:02 pm local time, when the Chinese delegation left. The talks will continue tomorrow.

He and Bessent could be seen leaving the building, but neither delegation made any comment to the gathered media on how the talks went.

The residential neighbourhood surrounding the venue was quiet with few Parisians passing through. One woman told her friend that “some famous Chinese people were here near the OECD”.

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Analysts stressed that people should curb their enthusiasm regarding the outcome of these talks in Paris and the Beijing summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump later this month.
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