US-China tariff talks begin in Washington ahead of Xi-Trump summit
Top US and Chinese negotiators will hold final preparatory talks in Washington from Saturday, including on tariffs, ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's expected visit to the United States for a summit with US President Donald Trump, China's commerce ministry said.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead a delegation to Washington from September 19 to 23 for talks on economic and trade issues of mutual concern, guided by the consensus reached by Xi and Trump. The discussions come amid fresh tensions over US sanctions and tariff measures linked to purchases of Russian oil and gas.
Beijing has not officially announced Xi's trip, but US media reports said he is expected to arrive in Washington on September 23 and meet Trump the next day. The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post had earlier reported that Trump plans to personally receive Xi on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews, in a rare airport reception.
The two leaders last met in Beijing in May during Trump's visit, when they held talks aimed at improving ties between the world's two largest economies.
During the Washington visit, He is set to hold talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on a wide range of issues, including tariffs and artificial intelligence. Bessent confirmed the talks and said he looked forward to meeting Vice Premier He and continuing their "very good private discussions".
The talks have gained significance after Trump signed a new sanctions bill authorising 100 per cent tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas, including China and India. Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on Friday. The law authorises expanded sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia and countries that buy its energy exports.
China has rejected US attempts to impose tariffs over its purchases of Russian oil and gas, saying normal trade cooperation between countries should not be subject to interference by third parties. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters on Thursday, "China engages in normal economic and trade cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit." He added, "Such cooperation does not target any third party and shall be free from disruption or coercion from any third party. China opposes long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and lack UN Security Council mandate."
Despite the tariff threat, Washington and Beijing are also negotiating a reciprocal tariff reduction framework covering products worth USD 30 billion from each side, China's Commerce Ministry said. Ministry spokesperson Huang Ling said the consultations aim to reach a reciprocal tariff reduction arrangement at the earliest possible date.
Ahead of the summit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also held a telephone conversation on Thursday, focusing on high-level exchanges between the two countries. Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Beijing on Wednesday and told Wang that Tehran was not interested in continuing its conflict with the US and wanted to return to a diplomatic solution.
With Xi's expected Washington visit nearing, the preparatory talks are set to cover trade, tariffs and other key issues, while both sides continue efforts to manage tensions and keep high-level engagement on track.
