Paris (France) (AFP) – US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that talks with top Chinese officials in the French capital had been “constructive”. “They were constructive and they show the stability of the relationship,” he told journalists. The meeting in Paris was widely seen as setting the stage for US President Donald Trump to visit China. The trip was initially planned from March 31 to April 2, but US officials confirmed Monday that it was likely to be delayed due to Washington’s war on Iran.
Bessent met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also attending the talks, according to his office. They follow a turbulent year in US-China economic ties since Trump returned to the presidency. The United States announced new trade investigations last week into excess industrial capacity, targeting 60 economies including China and other key partners. The prospect has fuelled the possibility of further tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s global duties.
The probes will look into “failures to take action on forced labour” and whether these burden or restrict US commerce, according to US officials. Greer said his team gave the Chinese “a preview of what we’re doing on US trade policy as we adjust to the Supreme Court”. “The president’s trade policy hasn’t changed, our tools may change, and we’re conducting these investigations,” he added. “We don’t want to prejudge them, and we had a good conversation with our counterparts about that process.”
© 2024 AFP
