US' Bessent hails 'substantial progress' in trade talks with China

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before the House Financial Services Committee

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before a House Financial Services Committee hearing entitled "The Annual Testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the International Financial System," on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo

Source: REUTERS

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that there had been "substantial progress" in talks between his team and that of Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva on defusing a trade war between the world's two largest economies.

Bessent said he would give more details on Monday, while U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, also at the talks, said the differences between the two sides were not as great as previously thought.

"I'm happy to report that we've made substantial progress between the United States and China in the very important trade talks," Bessent told reporters.

Bessent said he had informed President Donald Trump of the progress of the talks, and there would be a complete briefing on details on Monday.

The talks had continued into a second day on Sunday as both sides discussed how to de-escalate a trade war that threatens to inflict major damage on the world economy.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters