US-China Officials Hold ‘Stable’ Trade Talks in Paris Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting

Senior American and Chinese economic officials conducted productive discussions in Paris on Sunday, focusing on agricultural trade, critical minerals, and new trade management frameworks. The talks are setting the stage for potential agreements when President Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing later this month.

Senior economic officials from the United States and China conducted what sources described as exceptionally productive discussions in Paris on Sunday, laying groundwork for potential agreements that Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping could finalize during their upcoming Beijing meeting.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent led the American delegation in talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development headquarters. Two sources with knowledge of the negotiations characterized the discussions as both frank and constructive.

“All these meetings were to create stability, and today was remarkably stable,” one source told reporters following the conclusion of the talks.

The negotiations covered several key areas, including expanded agricultural trade opportunities. Chinese representatives indicated willingness to consider increased purchases of American poultry, beef, and various row crops beyond soybeans, according to one source. China also reaffirmed its commitment to purchasing 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually for the next three years.

Both delegations explored establishing formal mechanisms to better manage trade and investment relations between the world’s two largest economies. Technical discussions regarding proposed “Board of Trade” and “Board of Investment” frameworks were scheduled to continue Monday.

The Board of Trade concept appeared more fully developed, designed to identify products and sectors where both nations could expand balanced trade without compromising national security or critical supply chains, sources explained. The investment board would focus on addressing specific investment disputes rather than setting broad policy.

Critical mineral supply chains dominated another portion of the discussions. American officials expressed concerns about limited access to yttrium from China, an essential component in jet engine turbines. Sources indicated both sides identified potential solutions to ease restrictions in challenging mineral sectors, though specific details were not disclosed.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary Bessent also emphasized American interest in expanded Chinese purchases of Boeing aircraft and U.S. energy products including coal, oil, and natural gas. These topics were expected to receive further attention in Monday’s continued discussions.

The Paris meeting follows several previous sessions throughout the past year aimed at reducing tensions between Bessent, He, Greer, and Chinese chief trade negotiator Li Chenggang. Chinese officials departed without making public statements to waiting reporters.

Treasury and Trade Representative office spokespersons declined to provide characterizations of Sunday’s discussions when contacted. Sources emphasized that final decisions on any proposed agreements would rest with the two presidents during their anticipated late-March summit in Beijing.