US economic officials met Saturday in Geneva with their Chinese counterparts for the start of high-stakes negotiations to resolve the trade war that’s upended the global economy.
The talks between Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are expected to continue Sunday, and are the first between the two nations since President Trump bumped tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, and the communist nation retaliated by slapping a 125% tariff on US-made goods.
Bessent, along with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer — both in red ties — were spotted leaving their hotel Saturday morning on their way to the talks, which are being held in an undisclosed location.
Talks resumed in the afternoon, and Trump later touted them as “very good” with “great progress made.”
“A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland. Many things discussed, much agreed to. A total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner. 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!!!” the president wrote on Truth Social.
Trump floated an 80% tariff rate with China on Friday, according to reports. Gripas Yuri/ABACA/ShutterstockTrump floated lowering the 145% rate to 80% in a Truth Social post on Friday — but said he’d let Bessent decide during the talks.
“China should open up its market to the USA — it would be so good for them!!! Closed markets don’t work anymore!!!” Trump wrote.
“80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B,” he added.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later told reporters Friday that the number is hardly set in stone.
“That was a number the president threw out there,” she said. “The president still remains with his position that he is not going to unilaterally bring down tariffs on China.”
US officials met with their Chinese counterparts for the first time on Saturday to go head-to-head over President Trump’s tariff war. Getty Images
“China should open up its market to the USA — it would be so good for them!!! Closed markets don’t work anymore!!!” Trump wrote. Getty ImagesThe president has blamed China for long engaging in unfair trade practices with the US and not doing enough to stop the global flow of fentanyl from within its borders — but has in recent weeks indicated that he wants to come to a deal, and that he won’t play “hardball.”
“No, I’m not going to mention COVID. I’m not going to say, ‘Oh, I’m going to play hardball with China, I’m going to play hardball with you, President Xi.’ No, we’re going to be very nice,” Trump told The Post last month.
“We’ll see what happens. But ultimately, they have to make a deal, because otherwise they’re not going to be able to deal in the United States. And we want them involved,” Trump said at the time.
The president has blamed China for long engaging in unfair trade practices with the US and not doing enough to stop the global flow of fentanyl from within its borders, according to reports. REUTERS
The talks are between Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (above). Michael Brochstein/ZUMA / SplashNews.comTrump has said that he’s been engaged with China over the tariff war that began after his April 2 “Liberation Day” tariff announcement. He had then lowered all countries’ tariffs to 10% — but left China’s at 145% because of the country’s particular actions towards the US.
The White House has been careful not to make any concrete promises on how the talks will shake out — and has stressed that the US will only make a deal if China cooperates.
“We’ll see what happens this weekend, and always in the effort of transparency, I’m sure you’ll hear directly from the treasury secretary or the president after those negotiations conclude,” Leavitt said.
Trump has said that he’s been engaged with China over the tariff war that began after his April 2 “Liberation Day” tariff announcement. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
China said on May 2 it is evaluating a US offer for negotiations on tariffs but insisted Washington must be ready to scrap levies that have roiled global markets and supply chains before talks can begin, reports claim. AFP via Getty ImagesThe president revealed his first trade deal with the UK on Thursday, leaving the 10% tariff on the US ally, but opening up the UK market to US agricultural imports and giving the country access to importing 100,000 cars into the US at a 10% rate instead of 25%.
The 10% baseline tariff will be a “template” of how other countries will be treated, Trump’s trade counselor Peter Navarro told reporters outside the White House on Tuesday.
The rates will be higher for countries that try to retaliate against the US, he said.






