US-China trade talks: what to expect as senior officials meet in Paris

Trade talks between China and the United States in Paris this weekend are likely to focus on setting the scene for the Beijing summit between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump later this month, analysts said, downplaying the prospects of any significant breakthroughs.

Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are expected to discuss potential deals on tariffs, investment, and trade in soybeans and rare earths, which would be presented as deliverables for the Xi-Trump summit.

Bessent will be in Paris from March 15 to 16, while He will be in the city from March 14 to 17, according to official announcements.

Analysts said both sides had a short-term interest in maintaining the current trade truce, with Beijing needing a stable international economic environment as it tackles issues at home and Washington focusing on November’s midterm elections.

“China wants to make sure tariffs don’t go up again and Trump wants to achieve some kind of G2 deal with China’s Xi this year before the midterm elections,” said Philippe Le Corre, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Centre for China Analysis in Paris.

In a statement on Thursday, Bessent said discussions with China on trade and economic issues were advancing “thanks to the bonds of mutual respect between President Trump and President Xi”.

South China Morning Post