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Paris Today
By the People, for the People
US and China Open Trade Talks in Paris Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit
Negotiations led by US Treasury Secretary and Chinese Vice Premier aim to resolve economic disputes before high-level meeting.
Mar. 15, 2026 at 8:56pm
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Representatives from the United States and China have begun economic and trade talks in Paris, paving the way for an upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The delegations, led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, are discussing 'trade and economic issues of mutual concern' as they work to deliver results that benefit American farmers, workers, and businesses. The Paris meeting is seen as a crucial precursor to the Trump-Xi summit scheduled for late March to early April.
Why it matters
The US-China trade war has been a major source of global economic uncertainty over the past several years, with both sides imposing steep tariffs on each other's goods. These Paris talks represent an opportunity for the two countries to make progress on resolving their differences and pave the way for a high-level summit between the two presidents.
The details
The US and Chinese delegations have been meeting regularly since last year, with previous talks taking place in cities like Geneva, London, and Kuala Lumpur. The goal of the Paris meeting is for the two sides to agree on the key issues to be discussed at the upcoming Trump-Xi summit. One potential topic is the ongoing tensions around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump has said he hopes China and other nations will help keep 'open and safe'.
- The Paris talks began on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
- The Trump-Xi summit is scheduled for March 31 to April 2, 2026.
The players
Scott Bessent
The US Treasury Secretary leading the American delegation in the Paris trade talks.
He Lifeng
The Chinese Vice Premier heading the Chinese delegation in the Paris trade talks.
Donald Trump
The President of the United States who will be meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the upcoming summit.
Xi Jinping
The President of the People's Republic of China who will be meeting with US President Donald Trump in the upcoming summit.
What they’re saying
“We must continue to deliver results that put America's farmers, workers and businesses first.”
— Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary (kob.com)
“The key issue is whether China and the U.S. can agree on what is agreed and manage disagreement. Iran is a new factor, but Beijing is more concerned about the flip-flopping of U.S. policies.”
— Gary Ng, Senior Economist, Natixis (kob.com)
What’s next
The US and Chinese delegations will continue their talks on Monday, March 16th, before the planned Trump-Xi summit at the end of the month.
The takeaway
These Paris trade talks represent a critical step in resolving the long-running US-China trade dispute and setting the stage for a high-level meeting between the two presidents. Successful negotiations could help stabilize the global economy and ease tensions between the world's two largest economies.
