Sun May 11 11:00:00 UTC 2025: ## US and China Hold Marathon Trade Talks in Switzerland, to Resume Sunday
**Geneva, Switzerland –** High-stakes trade talks between the United States and China concluded Saturday evening after more than 10 hours of negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland. While details remain scarce, President Trump declared on social media that “great progress” was made and a “total reset” was negotiated. The talks, shrouded in secrecy, will resume on Sunday.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng led the delegations in a meeting described as friendly but constructive. The discussions, hosted at the Villa Saladin, aimed to de-escalate tensions stemming from the massive tariffs imposed by both countries last month, which have reached a combined 270% on some goods and significantly disrupted global trade.
While neither side offered immediate comment following the meeting, prior statements suggested the focus was on de-escalation rather than a comprehensive trade deal. Secretary Bessent previously indicated that the sky-high tariffs were unsustainable for both nations.
The talks come amidst a backdrop of significant trade friction between the two economic giants. President Trump recently raised U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, prompting retaliatory measures from China. This escalation threatened to further destabilize already volatile global markets. Although President Trump suggested the possibility of lowering tariffs, Chinese officials have stated their willingness to negotiate only after the US removes its unilateral tariffs.
Experts like Sun Yun of the Stimson Center expressed cautious optimism, suggesting that even a small reduction in tariffs would signal positive progress. However, she emphasized that concrete actions, rather than just words, are crucial.
The current tensions stem from a range of issues, including allegations of unfair trade practices by China, including intellectual property theft and government subsidies, and America’s substantial trade deficit with China. While a “Phase One” agreement was reached in 2020, progress stalled, and the dispute over China’s technology policies has resurfaced.
Simultaneously, Secretary Bessent also held productive talks with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter regarding US-Swiss trade relations, reporting progress toward accelerated trade negotiations. The Swiss government, while cautious, has expressed concern about the impact of escalating US tariffs on its key industries.
First Piper 