US, China Hold First In-Person Trade Talks in Geneva Amid Tariff Standoff

President Donald Trump hailed the first day of high-level trade talks with China in Geneva as a “total reset” in relations, describing the discussions as friendly yet constructive with “great progress” made toward opening China’s market to American businesses. The negotiations, led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, marked the first face-to-face dialogue since the imposition of reciprocal tariffs exceeding 125%, which have severely disrupted $600 billion in annual bilateral trade and global supply chains. While Trump floated a potential tariff reduction on Chinese imports from 145% to 80%, no formal agreements were announced, and Chinese officials remained cautious, emphasizing the need for strategic patience and opposing unilateral tariffs. Both sides framed the talks as a positive step toward de-escalation, though no immediate breakthrough was expected amid deep-rooted issues like intellectual property and technology disputes. The closed-door meetings continued into a second day, with Swiss officials noting that the mere fact of dialogue was itself significant in lowering tensions. Analysts remain skeptical about rapid resolution, highlighting the delicate balance between economic pressure and diplomatic engagement.