The United States and China have agreed to extend their temporary trade truce for another two months, giving the world's two largest economies additional time to negotiate their unresolved economic disputes.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington and Beijing reached the agreement after he met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Washington. The current arrangement, which was due to expire in November, will now remain in place until January 10.
Under the extension, both countries will continue reducing certain tariffs and refrain from introducing additional trade restrictions. Bessent said the extra time could allow officials to make progress during upcoming international meetings in China in November and Florida in December.
Speaking to Fox News, Bessent said it remained uncertain whether the two governments would negotiate a broader agreement or simply continue the existing arrangement. He also indicated that additional announcements could emerge during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit, potentially involving financial services and Chinese purchases of US agricultural products.
Trade tensions have remained one of the most difficult issues in the US-China relationship. The two countries have also been at odds over artificial intelligence, technology exports, critical minerals and other strategic matters.
The latest developments come as Xi arrived in the United States for his first visit in more than a decade. President Donald Trump personally welcomed the Chinese leader at Joint Base Andrews, a gesture that highlighted the importance Washington has placed on the visit.
Xi received a highly ceremonial welcome, including a long red carpet, an honour guard and military participation. The ceremony also featured the flags and national anthems of both countries, along with a flyover involving two B-1 bombers. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, after they stepped off the aircraft.
Xi is scheduled to meet Trump at the White House, with the visit also including a state dinner. While the trip is expected to emphasize diplomacy and the personal relationship between the two leaders, trade and broader strategic issues remain central to their discussions.
The temporary trade agreement follows steps taken by Washington and Beijing last October to ease restrictions on critical minerals and high-tech exports. Both sides also agreed at the time to extend a pause on exceptionally high tariffs.
Trump has publicly described Xi as a great leader and emphasized the importance of maintaining stability in the US-China relationship. Beijing has likewise called for cooperation rather than confrontation.
In remarks marking his arrival, Xi said China and the United States should view one another as partners rather than rivals. He argued that China's national development goals and Trump's vision of making America stronger could coexist and that cooperation between the two countries could benefit the wider world.
With the new January deadline approaching, negotiators will have only a limited period to determine whether the temporary truce can develop into a broader and more lasting trade agreement.
Read more : - Trump Signals More Forceful U.S. Role in Latin America to Combat Narcotrafficking
.jpeg)
0 Comments