Overview

• President Trump announced his support for reducing tariffs on Chinese imports to 80%, down from the current rate of 145%.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, leading the U.S. delegation, endorsed the proposed tariff reduction as a step toward easing trade tensions.
• China maintains its retaliatory 125% tariffs on U.S. goods, with no indication of an immediate policy shift ahead of the talks.
• The pre-negotiations in Switzerland are viewed as an opportunity to establish a framework for future substantive agreements, though expectations remain modest.
• Trump emphasized that a trade deal with China could not only improve bilateral relations but also contribute to broader geopolitical goals, including peace in Ukraine.