U.S. Treasury Secretary to Meet China's Vice Premier Ahead of Trump's Beijing Visit

Talks aim to pave the way for President Trump's state visit to China starting March 31

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:18am

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Paris on Sunday and Monday for a new round of trade talks, the Treasury Department announced. The talks are seen as preparatory work for President Donald Trump's state visit to Beijing starting March 31, which will be the first for a U.S. president since Trump's 2017 trip.

Why it matters

The upcoming talks and Trump's visit to China are crucial for maintaining stability in the world's two largest economies, which have been engaged in a trade war that has seen tariffs soar. The business community and analysts will be closely watching for any potential agreements or progress on issues like China's purchases of U.S. products and managing the trade imbalance.

The details

Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng have led trade negotiations between the two countries since last year, having met in several locations. China has yet to officially announce the upcoming talks between Bessent and He, which are seen as preparatory work for Trump's state visit that Beijing also has not confirmed. The White House has said Trump is traveling to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

  • The talks between Bessent and He will take place on Sunday, March 16, 2026 and Monday, March 17, 2026 in Paris.
  • President Trump's state visit to Beijing is scheduled to start on March 31, 2026.

The players

Scott Bessent

U.S. Treasury Secretary who will be meeting with the Chinese Vice Premier in Paris.

He Lifeng

Chinese Vice Premier who will be meeting with the U.S. Treasury Secretary in Paris.

Donald Trump

President of the United States who will be visiting Beijing starting March 31, 2026.

Xi Jinping

President of China who will be meeting with President Trump during his state visit.

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What they’re saying

“'Thanks to the bonds of mutual respect between President Trump and President Xi, the trade and economic dialogue between the United States and China is moving forward. Under the guidance of President Trump, our team will continue to deliver results that put America's farmers, workers, and businesses first.'”

— Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary (ksgf.com)

“'What the two sides need to do now is to make thorough preparations accordingly, create a suitable environment, manage the risks that do exist and remove unnecessary disruptions.'”

— Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister (ksgf.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This upcoming meeting between the U.S. and Chinese officials, as well as President Trump's state visit to Beijing, are critical for maintaining stability in the world's two largest economies and managing the ongoing trade tensions between the two countries. The talks will be closely watched for any potential breakthroughs or agreements that could impact the trade imbalance and economic relations between the U.S. and China.