US, China start fresh stage of trade discussions in Spain

(MENAFN) The United States and China began a new round of trade discussions in Madrid on Sunday, coinciding with Washington’s push for European allies to impose tariffs on Beijing over its Russian oil imports.

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are heading their respective delegations in these high-stakes negotiations, with the temporary pause on Chinese import tariffs extended until November. The talks are scheduled to continue over four days, concluding on Wednesday, according to reports.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares welcomed both delegations at the Foreign Ministry in Madrid, where the trade talks took place. He said, "Spanish foreign policy works for dialogue and agreement. Honored by the trust of both in choosing Madrid."

These negotiations, the fourth round in four months, commenced just hours after the delegations arrived in the Spanish capital. They represent another effort to prevent the already strained US-China trade relationship from deteriorating further due to the ongoing tariff measures initiated under President Donald Trump.

According to reports, the agenda for the discussions includes "key national security, economic, and trade issues of mutual interest, including TikTok and cooperating on money laundering networks that threaten both the United States and China." The social media platform TikTok is currently facing a nationwide ban in the US on national security grounds.

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