High-level meetings aim to ease tensions, but experts warn a resolution could take months.
Top officials from the United States and China are scheduled to meet in Switzerland this week in a bid to ease tensions in the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Vice Premier He Lifeng will attend the discussions from May 9 to 12. Representing the US will be Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, according to official statements from Washington.
The talks mark the first high-level engagement between the two nations since Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January.
The backdrop is a sharply escalating tariff dispute: the US has recently imposed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports, with Beijing retaliating with duties of up to 125% on American goods. Experts anticipate that negotiations could extend over several months, with little immediate resolution expected.
“This will be about de-escalation, not a grand trade deal—yet,” Mr. Bessent told Fox News, emphasizing the need to lower tensions before substantive progress can be made.
China’s Ministry of Commerce responded by urging the US to acknowledge the global harm caused by its unilateral tariff actions. State media also noted that Beijing’s decision to re-engage reflects international expectations, national interests, and pressure from US businesses.
However, Chinese officials reiterated their readiness to persist in the trade dispute if necessary, vowing to “fight to the end” if talks fail.
Market reactions were cautiously optimistic. Stock markets in mainland China and Hong Kong rose following the announcement and fresh economic stimulus measures from Chinese authorities. US stock futures also edged higher ahead of the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision.
Trade experts remain skeptical. “This is unlikely to be the breakthrough many are hoping for,” said Deborah Elms of the Hinrich Foundation. Henry Gao, a law professor and former WTO official, added that negotiations could drag on for many months, echoing the prolonged 2018 trade discussions.
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