US, China Resume Trade Talks in London After Trump-Xi Call/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Top U.S. and Chinese officials are meeting in London after a Trump-Xi phone call aimed at calming their ongoing trade war. The session follows a 90-day tariff suspension and rising tensions over semiconductors, rare earths, and student visas. Talks are expected to last at least a day.
US-China Trade Talks in London: Quick Looks
- Delegations from the US and China meet Monday in London for high-level trade negotiations.
- Talks follow a phone call last Thursday between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are representing the U.S.
- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng leads the Chinese delegation.
- A 90-day suspension of 100%+ tariffs was agreed to in May after Geneva talks.
- Recent friction includes disputes over AI chips, rare earth exports, and Chinese student visas.
- The UK is hosting the talks but not participating.
- British officials reiterated their support for free trade.
- The outcome of these talks may stabilize or re-escalate global economic uncertainty.
Deep Look: US and China Hold Key Trade Talks in London Following Trump-Xi Outreach
LONDON — Trade envoys from the United States and China are holding high-stakes talks in London on Monday, marking the latest effort to calm a disruptive economic feud between the world’s two largest economies. The talks come directly after a phone call between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week that aimed to reset fraught relations.
The private, high-level negotiations are being held at an undisclosed London location, with officials from both sides tight-lipped about specific agenda items. The U.S. delegation includes Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, while Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is leading Beijing’s team.
From Phone Call to Face-to-Face
The London summit follows a pivotal May 12 agreement in Geneva, where the U.S. and China jointly announced a 90-day suspension of tariffs that had soared over 100% in some sectors. That fragile truce has helped ease fears of a global recession, but trust remains thin.
President Trump described his conversation with Xi as “productive” in a Truth Social post on Friday, saying both leaders “agree a better deal is still possible.” Soon after, the White House confirmed that trade talks would resume in London, a neutral location both parties reportedly found acceptable.
“We’re ready to negotiate a fair deal that benefits American workers and secures our tech future,” Trump said.
High-Tech and High Stakes
While tariffs and agricultural trade are on the table, tech tensions are the underlying fault line. The U.S. has intensified efforts to block Chinese access to advanced semiconductors critical for artificial intelligence and military development. In response, China has moved to limit exports of rare earth elements, crucial to global tech manufacturing and electric vehicles.
Other pressure points include:
- Visa restrictions on Chinese students in U.S. universities, particularly those in STEM fields.
- U.S. scrutiny of Chinese investments in American biotech and clean energy startups.
- Cybersecurity concerns and allegations of intellectual property theft.
Despite the Geneva cooling-off period, angry rhetoric has resumed over these sensitive issues in recent weeks.
Britain Hosts, But Doesn’t Mediate
Though the UK government is playing host, it is not directly involved in the negotiations. In a public statement, British trade officials welcomed the talks and emphasized that “a trade war is in no one’s interest.” The UK, which is navigating its own post-Brexit trade positioning, has maintained strong relations with both Washington and Beijing.
“We are a nation that champions free trade,” the British statement said.
The venue in London was chosen for logistical neutrality, with UK officials ensuring security and privacy for both delegations.
What’s Next?
The meetings are expected to last at least one day, though insiders suggest they could continue through midweek if progress is made. Analysts are watching for any signs of a breakthrough that could lead to a longer-term agreement or at least extend the truce.
Key outcomes to watch for include:
- A formal extension of the 90-day tariff pause
- Frameworks for tech cooperation or export controls
- Agricultural concessions that could ease rural political pressure in both nations
- Clarification on visa policies for academic exchanges
The talks arrive at a critical time, with the U.S. presidential election just months away, and China contending with a cooling economy and weakened consumer confidence.
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