US, China Talks Address Tariffs and Wider Trade Issues

U.S. and Chinese officials met in Stockholm for two days of talks to resolve tariff disputes ahead of the August 12 expiration of a 90-day truce on elevated tariffs. Negotiators described the discussions as constructive, though no major breakthroughs were achieved, and analysts expect an extension of current lower tariffs. The agenda expanded to include U.S. market access, Chinese investment in the U.S., tech export controls, fentanyl precursors, and China's oil imports from Russia and Iran. President Trump denied actively seeking a summit with President Xi but said he might visit China if officially invited, as preparations for a possible leaders' meeting continue. The outcome is critical for global supply chains, with failure risking a return to triple-digit tariffs and economic disruption. Both countries are under internal and external pressures, with China resisting one-sided deals and the U.S. balancing tariff issues with other trading partners.