CHINA BLINKS: Trump Officials Set to Meet Beijing Delegation Amid Mounting Pressure from U.S. Tariffs
President Donald Trump’s America First economic strategy is delivering results once again, as senior administration officials prepare to meet with Chinese leaders in Switzerland for high-stakes discussions on trade and economic policy. The move signals a major shift in tone from Beijing, just days after the communist regime claimed it would not back down in the ongoing trade war.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will sit down with their Chinese counterparts this weekend, marking a pivotal moment in the administration’s effort to secure fair trade for American workers.
“We have shared interests,” Bessent told Fox News, emphasizing that the current tariff structure is heavily skewed against China. “This isn’t sustainable, especially on the Chinese side. And, you know, 145 percent [tariffs], 125 percent, is the equivalent of an embargo. We don’t want to decouple, what we want is fair trade.”
The high-level meetings, set for Saturday and Sunday, come on the heels of President Trump’s aggressive tariff escalation last month, which raised duties on Chinese imports to 145%—a move aimed squarely at rebalancing decades of lopsided trade policies that have hollowed out American industry.
“My sense is that this will be about de-escalation, not about the big trade deal,” Bessent told Laura Ingraham. “But we’ve got to de-escalate, before we can move forward.”
China retaliated with steep tariffs of its own, but behind the scenes, the communist government is already softening its stance. Sources now report that roughly one-quarter of all U.S. imports into China—valued at $40 billion—have been quietly exempted from the 125% retaliatory tax, including key American goods such as pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.
While Beijing attempts to frame this as a calculated policy maneuver, analysts suggest it's more likely a sign that President Trump’s economic offensive is working. Trade experts told Bloomberg the shift reflects a strategic adjustment by Xi Jinping’s regime, but the reality remains: the pressure is mounting, and the cracks are beginning to show.
Secretary Bessent and Trade Representative Greer are also expected to meet with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter during the visit. The Chinese delegation will be led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, the top official overseeing China-U.S. economic relations.
“Economic security is national security, and President Donald J. Trump is leading the way both at home and abroad for a stronger, more prosperous America,” Bessent said in a statement ahead of the meetings. “I look forward to productive talks as we work towards rebalancing the international economic system towards better serving the interests of the United States.”
Greer echoed the sentiment, stating, “At President Trump’s direction, I am negotiating with countries to rebalance our trade relations to achieve reciprocity, open new markets, and protect America’s economic and national security.”
“I look forward to having productive meetings with some of my counterparts as well as visiting with my team in Geneva, who all work diligently to advance U.S. interests on a range of multilateral issues,” he added.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that Vice Premier He will meet with Bessent in Switzerland, while a spokesperson for Xi Jinping revealed on Friday that the Chinese government is now “evaluating” President Trump’s latest trade offer. This notable shift in rhetoric could open the door to long-term negotiations that finally close the massive U.S.-China trade gap.
Just last week, Bessent told Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo that Trump’s tariffs are already having a measurable impact on China’s economy, estimating potential job losses of five to ten million if current trends continue.
“I am confident that the Chinese will want to reach a deal,” Bessent said. “And as I said, this is going to be a multi-step process. First, we need to de-escalate. And then over time, we will start focusing on a larger trade deal.”
With President Trump at the helm, the U.S. is no longer playing defense on trade. It’s leading—and the world is starting to follow.