Lutnick says US-China trade talks could spill into a third day

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said trade talks with China, under way in London since Monday, may spill into a third day.

“We’re working on all sorts of trade issues, and I think the talks are going really, really well,” he told reporters gathered outside Lancaster House, the UK government mansion where the talks are taking place.

“We’re … spending time and effort and energy. Everybody’s got their head down, working closely through it,” he said close to 8pm local time. “I hope they end this evening, but if need be, we’ll be here tomorrow.”

The talks are the latest attempt to defuse tensions between the world’s two largest economies over a slew of trade and technology issues, which remain at boiling point despite the two sides agreeing to a temporary deal to scale back tariffs on each other’s goods last month.

The meeting in London comes just days after a phone call between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, during which the two leaders agreed to push forward with negotiations aimed at resolving their ongoing economic disputes.

China’s delegation is led by Vice-Premier He Lifeng. Lutnick, US Treasury Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are leading the US side in what was described as “the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism”.

South China Morning Post