US-China trade war: Trump calls day one of crunch talks in Geneva ‘a very good meeting’
Analysts predict a wide range of outcomes for the first round of US-China dialogue, from a ‘soft deal’ to a mutually acrimonious departure
US President Donald Trump called crunch trade talks between China and the United States in the Swiss city of Geneva “a very good meeting” after they broke off on Saturday evening, with the sides set to resume negotiations on Sunday.
The talks, aimed at de-escalating a spiralling trade war between the world’s two superpowers, took place over two rounds either side of lunch at the gated residence of the Swiss ambassador to the United Nations, overlooking Lake Geneva, according to a Reuters report.
Vice-Premier He Lifeng, Beijing’s top economic official, led the Chinese delegation at the talks with his American counterpart, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, which began on Saturday morning local time.
It was the first face-to-face economic dialogue between the rival powers since the escalation of their trade war earlier this year, with tariffs on imports crossing 100 per cent on either side.
Hours after day one wrapped up, Trump said on Truth Social that the meeting was “a total reset”, and claimed that much was “agreed to” in the conversation.
“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!!!” he posted.
Ahead of the talks, China once again cast itself as the reliable and responsible partner to the multilateral trade system, while reaffirming its unwavering commitment to its own development.