Leaving so soon? US, China hold briefest trade talks yet before leaders’ summit

Senior officials from China and the United States concluded their latest round of trade talks in Seoul after less than four hours on Wednesday, the briefest session since the two countries began holding talks last year.

The seventh round of negotiations – led by Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent – wrapped up just hours ahead of US President Donald Trump’s scheduled arrival in Beijing.

The officials ended the session without speaking to the media, a departure from the previous meetings, which typically spanned two days

and concluded with press briefings from both sides.

The two delegations discussed “resolving economic and trade issues of mutual concern” and “further expanding practical cooperation”, according to a brief post-session report by state news agency Xinhua.

This will mark the first trip by a US president to China in over eight years, since Trump’s last official visit during his first non-consecutive term in 2017.