China-US hold trade talks in Malaysia ahead of Trump's meeting with Xi
Senior officials from China and the United States held a second day of intensive trade negotiations in Malaysia on Sunday, just days before a highly anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The discussions come as part of Trump’s three-nation Asia tour, aimed at easing tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
The talks began on Saturday, coinciding with the opening of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. China’s delegation is led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, while the US team is headed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The two sides spent over five hours in discussions on Saturday and continued into Sunday to narrow differences on trade, technology, and tariffs.
This marks the fifth round of negotiations between the two nations in recent months, following earlier sessions in Geneva, London, Stockholm, and Madrid. Officials said both sides are working to finalize a framework agreement that could be presented to Trump and Xi during their upcoming face-to-face meeting in South Korea next week.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that “the talks are progressing well, and we’re getting close to a point where our leaders can consider a tangible proposal.” He confirmed that discussions covered a range of critical issues, including tariffs, rare earth exports, currency stability, and agricultural trade.
In August, Washington and Beijing agreed to a temporary tariff truce set to expire on November 10. The truce followed months of escalating tensions after Trump raised duties on Chinese imports to 145%, prompting Beijing to retaliate with tariffs of up to 125% on US goods.
Sources close to the talks said the US is seeking stronger commitments from China on intellectual property protection and fair market access for American companies, while Beijing is pressing for the removal of high tariffs on electronics and green energy components.
Officials from both sides described the discussions as “constructive but complex,” with negotiators aiming to finalize a joint statement ahead of the Trump–Xi summit. Observers say the outcome of the Malaysia talks could shape global economic sentiment and influence markets ahead of next month’s G20 meeting, where both nations are expected to present a roadmap for a longer-term trade accord.
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