China U.S. trade talks Sweden resumed in Stockholm on July 28–29, as top Chinese and U.S. trade officials met for a second day of high-stakes negotiations over existing tariffs. The aim: defuse tensions and cement a new trade truce before the current one expires on August 12, 2025
During the talks held at Rosenbad—the Swedish prime minister’s office—U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng, and top trade official Li Chenggang engaged in “constructive” and “candid” dialogue. Much of the discussion centered on avoiding a return to triple-digit tariffs that had disrupted global markets earlier in the year.
Under the existing arrangement, the U.S. imposes a 30% tariff on Chinese goods, while China applies a 10% tariff on U.S. exports. Both sides agreed to maintain these levels at least through the current truce period . Reports describe the tone as hopeful yet cautious, without any major breakthroughs on structural issues like market access, tech export controls, and rare earth supply regulations
Looking ahead, U.S. officials will brief President Trump, who holds the final authority on whether to extend the pause. A further 90‑day extension is under consideration—for now, markets are watching closely as the deadline approaches
In addition to tariff levels, the negotiating agenda covered sensitive topics: Chinese restrictions on rare‑earth exports, the fentanyl‑related tariff linked to precursor chemicals, Chinese investment in the U.S., and export controls on AI‑related chip technology
Analysts welcomed the Stockholm meetings as at least a temporary stabilizer in Sino‑U.S. trade relations. However, experts caution that any substantive agreement may require deeper concessions from Beijing and structural changes in China’s economy—something that could take much longer to materialize than another 90‑day pause. Wabstalk
