Geneva, May 11, (dpa/GNA) – High-ranking representatives from the United States and China met in Geneva on Sunday for a second day of talks to resolve their ongoing trade dispute.
The delegations were again led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Details about the content of the discussions have not emerged, with negotiations taking place weeks after US President Donald Trump sparked a massive tariff conflict, introducing 145% duties on Chinese goods.
China responded with retaliatory tariffs of 125% on US imports, sparking fears of a global trade war. Trump later floated the idea of cutting his 145% tariffs on China to 80%.
Trump said early on Sunday that the sides had made “GREAT PROGRESS” on the first day of talks in Switzerland.
“Many things discussed, much agreed to. A total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business.”
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later said he was “optimistic” about the talks with Chinese representatives but offered no specifics.
He acknowledged that high tariffs on Chinese imports would reduce trade volumes, but called it just the first step in broader negotiations.
“What the president’s tariff policy is, is let’s open all the markets in the world that have been closed to us. Let’s get that opportunity for Americans to export to them, let’s really, really help Americans export,” he said on CNN on Sunday.
Geneva is home to the World Trade Organization (WTO), where several countries, including the European Union, have announced complaints against US tariffs. They argue that the surcharges violate WTO rules.
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