BEIJING (AP) — Representatives from Beijing and Washington commenced their economic and trade discussions in Paris on Sunday, as reported by China's official news agency, Xinhua. The negotiations are being led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, with the aim of setting the groundwork for an upcoming state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing. This visit is scheduled to take place from March 31 to April 2, although the Beijing government has yet to provide official confirmation of the dates.

Bessent emphasized during a press briefing on Thursday that his team is committed to delivering results that prioritize the interests of America's farmers, workers, and businesses. China's Ministry of Commerce indicated on Friday that the discussions will cover "trade and economic issues of mutual concern," highlighting the significance of these talks in addressing ongoing trade tensions between the two nations.

This visit will mark Trump's first trip to China since his initial term as president in 2017, creating a historic context for the meetings. His visit follows a previous encounter between the two leaders in Busan, South Korea, where they reached a one-year truce in a trade war that had seen tariffs between the countries soar to unprecedented levels. This truce was crucial in de-escalating tensions after a period characterized by retaliatory measures.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi characterized the year as a "big year" for China-U.S. relations. Although he refrained from confirming the state visit, he noted that "the agenda of high-level exchange is already on the table," indicating a readiness on both sides to engage in dialogue and collaborate on pressing issues.

Bessent and He have been steering trade negotiations between China and the United States since the previous year, having convened in various global cities such as Geneva, London, Stockholm, Madrid, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These series of meetings reflect both nations' intent to stabilize economic relations and foster cooperation amidst ongoing global challenges.

In summary, the recent trade talks in Paris set a critical tone for the upcoming interactions between the U.S. and China, as officials aim to address key economic issues and forge a path for future collaboration. As both nations prepare for President Trump's visit, the discussions led by Bessent and He illustrate a concerted effort to mitigate past disputes and enhance bilateral relations.