China, US trade delegations kick off fourth round of talks in Madrid

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are leading a new round of trade talks in Madrid, with the tariff truce reached in Stockholm set to expire in November.

The delegations arrived at the Spanish foreign ministry in central Madrid on Sunday afternoon local time, just hours after the Chinese team touched down in the capital.

A dozen journalists from Chinese and European outlets, including Spain’s public broadcaster TVE, had gathered outside the ministry building in the heart of the tourist area. They drew curious glances from passers-by and locals at nearby cafe terraces.

Jose Manuel Albares, the foreign minister of Spain, welcomed the American and Chinese delegations as they arrived. Vice-Premier He was accompanied by senior Chinese trade negotiator Li Chenggang.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is in the south of the country attending a gathering of his Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party.

This is the fourth time He and Bessent are meeting face to face in Europe, as both sides strive to sort out mounting trade disagreements since US President Donald Trump renewed his tariff war in April.

South China Morning Post