WASHINGTON: Trade negotiations between the United States and China have stalled, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday, less than three weeks after the two countries agreed to a temporary truce in their ongoing trade war.
Earlier this month, following talks in Switzerland, both nations agreed to reduce tariffs on each other’s goods by suspending some duties for 90 days starting May 14. The United States lowered tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, while China cut retaliatory tariffs on US goods from 125% to 10%.
Speaking to Fox News, Bessent described the current state of talks as “a bit stalled” but said discussions remain ongoing and are expected to resume in the coming weeks. He suggested that direct involvement from US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping might be necessary to break the deadlock.
“I believe that we will be having more talks with China in the next few weeks and I believe we may at some point have a call between the president and Chinese President Xi Jinping,” Bessent said, adding that the two leaders maintain “a very good relationship.”
The development comes amid legal challenges to Trump’s global tariffs policy. On Wednesday, the US Court of International Trade ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority by imposing some tariffs. The following day, a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated the most sweeping of Trump’s tariffs. However, the White House successfully appealed this decision, temporarily reinstating the duties while the case continues.
Trump criticized the ruling on his social media platform, calling it “horrific” and urging the Supreme Court to reverse the decision “quickly and decisively.”
Tariffs have been a key part of the Trump administration’s strategy to reduce trade deficits, encourage domestic manufacturing, and raise tax revenue by making foreign goods more expensive.
Meanwhile, US trade talks with other countries are expected to continue. Recently, the Trump administration set a deadline of July 9 to reach a trade deal with the European Union.
Trade experts warn that ongoing legal uncertainty surrounding tariffs could weaken US leverage in future negotiations.
