US-China Trade War Talks Heat Up in Switzerland as Tariffs Bite

In a high-stakes diplomatic dance, U.S. and Chinese officials are set to clash in Geneva this Thursday, marking the first major talks since President Trump unleashed a tariff-fueled trade war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and trade representative Jamieson Greer will face off with China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng, as both sides grapple with escalating economic tensions.

Trump’s aggressive 145% tariffs on Chinese imports have rattled global markets, while Beijing’s retaliatory 125% tariffs on U.S. goods have added fuel to the fire. Yet, cracks in China’s stance are showing—Beijing recently exempted certain American products, like ethane, from tariffs, signaling a possible openness to negotiation. Bessent, echoing Trump’s mantra, insists that economic security is national security, aiming to rebalance trade in America’s favor.

The Geneva talks, hosted by Switzerland, come amid growing U.S. market fears over tariff-driven price hikes and supply chain disruptions. While Bessent meets Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter on the sidelines, the real spotlight is on whether these discussions can cool the trade war’s heat or fan its flames further.