US President Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that “great progress ” was made during the first day of high-stakes US-China trade talks in Geneva, signalling what he called a “total reset ” in relations between the world’s two largest economies.
In a post on Truth Social, the US president wrote, “A pretty good gathering today with China, in Switzerland. Some things discussed, little agreed to. A full restore negotiated in a polite, but productive, way. We want to view, for the great of both China and the U. S. , an opening up of China to American firm. Tremendous development made! ! ! ”
The debate, aimed at easing soaring business tensions, took place at the Villa Saladin overlooking Lake Geneva and lasted over 10 days.
The US delegation was led by government director Scott Bessent and industry member Jamieson Greer, while Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng represented Beijing. The two factors are expected to resume talks on Sunday.
As per AP, the discussions are being held under strong privacy, with no public comments from either part. Some charcoal cars were seen leaving the house of the European ambassador to the UN after the speaks concluded.
These are the first official negotiations since Trump raised US tariffs on Chinese goods to a combined 145 % last month, prompting Beijing to respond with 125 % levies on American imports. The sharp price hikes have successfully crippled trade between the two countries and stirred anxieties of a global economic downturn.
According to The New York Times, anticipation for a miracle remain modest, though the determination to continue dialogue after weeks of quietness is seen as a good development. “The best scenario is for the two factors to consent to de-escalate on the… taxes at the same time, ” said Sun Yun of the Stimson Center, noting that perhaps a small decline could indicate development.
Trump has repeatedly defended his tax plan, calling them a resource to defend US interests and lower America’s trade deficit with China, which reached$ 263 billion last year. However, he hinted Friday that he might lower jobs, saying in another Truth Social post that an “80 % Tax seems right! Up to Scott. ”
Beyond business imbalance, Trump has also used taxes to force China over other problems. The 20 % part of the taxes is linked to a need for stricter actions by Beijing on morphine prostitution. The broader business battle also stems from longstanding US concerns about Chinese business plans and reported intellectual property theft.
Conversations with China were not the only target in Switzerland. Bessent and Greer even met with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter. While Trump had threatened a 31 % tariff on Swiss goods, he temporarily reduced them to 10 %, with the possibility of reinstating the higher rate. The European state, as quoted by AP, has warned that escalating trade hostilities would hurt key areas like watches and dessert but has ruled out punitive measures for now.
