In a landmark meeting on May 10–11 in Geneva, high-level envoys from the Chinese mainland and the U.S. met for an in-depth dialogue on economic and trade affairs. Led by the Chinese vice premier and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the talks were lauded as professional, pragmatic, and candid — a tone shift that hints at a new chapter in bilateral ties.
Chinese officials praised the American delegation’s rational, objective spirit, noting a departure from earlier, ideologically charged exchanges. Li Chenggang, vice commerce minister, said this pragmatic attitude was key to finding consensus on major issues.
With inflationary pressures and market volatility still high, some suggest the Trump administration may now feel the urgent need to recalibrate its approach — pivoting from confrontation to consultation to protect its economic interests.
Both sides underscored that China–U.S. economic relations extend far beyond bilateral trade, emphasizing mutual benefits and a shared responsibility to global stability. As the Chinese vice premier noted, their cooperation holds immense weight for the world economy at a time of rapid transformation.
A pointed question about reducing the U.S. trade deficit highlighted China’s firm stance: any agreement must support the Chinese mainland’s development objectives, ensuring reciprocity rather than one-sided concessions.
Perhaps the most tangible outcome was the launch of a formal economic and trade consultation mechanism co-led by top officials. This institutional framework promises continuous, solutions-oriented diplomacy — moving past symbolic gestures toward real, data-driven collaboration.
As both sides commit to this new path, the world will watch to see whether pragmatism and shared responsibility can sustain a stable economic order in an uncertain era.
Reference(s):
China-U.S. economic talks display pragmatism and shared responsibility
cgtn.com
