China-US Trade Talks Begin in Seoul Ahead of Trump's Beijing Visit
On Wednesday, top officials from China and the U.S. kicked off trade talks in Seoul. They’re discussing trade deals, export rules for vital minerals, and the situation in Iran. Leading the discussions are U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung earlier that day. This round of talks is set to last just a few hours, unlike previous ones that were much longer. Afterward, Bessent will travel to China to see President Trump, who will be in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday. This trip is significant, as it’s the first visit by a U.S. president to China in over eight years, since Trump’s visit in 2017.
Key facts
- China-US trade talks began in Seoul on Wednesday.
- Delegations led by Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
- Both officials paid courtesy calls to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
- Discussions likely to cover trade deals, export controls on critical minerals, and the Iran war.
- Talks expected to last only a few hours, shorter than previous rounds.
- Bessent will head to China in the afternoon to join President Trump.
- Trump will visit Beijing from Wednesday to Friday.
- This is the first US presidential visit to China in over eight years.
- Trump's last state visit to China was in 2017.
Entities
Institutions
- South China Morning Post
Locations
- Seoul
- South Korea
- Incheon Airport
- China
- Beijing