US, China resume trade talks in London

Washington

High-level trade talks between the United States and China began in London on Monday, aiming to stabilize a fragile truce in the ongoing trade dispute that has unsettled global markets. The renewed discussions follow a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last Thursday, signaling a joint interest in easing tensions and improving diplomatic ties.

The Chinese delegation is led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, while the U.S. side includes Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The meeting is being held at a UK government facility and is expected to last at least a day.

The London talks come on the heels of last month’s negotiations in Geneva, which had brought temporary relief to the prolonged trade war. That session resulted in a short-lived easing of tariffs and commitments to resume dialogue, but deeper issues—such as technology transfers, intellectual property rights, and market access—remain unresolved.

Observers suggest that both nations are under internal pressure to avoid further economic disruption. For the U.S., inflation concerns and election-year politics add urgency. For China, a sluggish post-pandemic recovery and reduced export demand are key motivators for compromise.

While concrete outcomes from the London meeting are yet to be seen, the renewed dialogue is being viewed as a positive step toward restoring economic cooperation between the world’s two largest economies. Further rounds of negotiation are expected if the current session results in even modest progress.