US, China Resume Talks in Stockholm to Ease Tariff Hostilities

US and Chinese officials began a second day of talks in Stockholm on July 29 to resolve longstanding economic disputes and step back from an escalating trade war between the world's two biggest economies.

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STOCKHOLM -

The meetings may not yield immediate large breakthroughs, but the two sides could agree to another 90-day extension of a tariff truce struck in mid-May.

The talks may also pave the way for a potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later in 2025, though Mr. Trump on July 29 denied going out of his way to seek one.

The delegations met for more than five hours on July 28 at Rosenbad, the Swedish Prime Minister's office in central Stockholm.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was seen arriving at Rosenbad on the morning of July 29 after a separate meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng also arrived at the venue.

Neither side made statements after the first day of talks.

China is facing an Aug. 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with Mr. Trump's administration, after reaching preliminary deals in May and June to end weeks of escalating tit-for-tat tariffs and a cut-off of rare earth minerals.

Without an agreement, global supply chains could face renewed turmoil from US duties snapping back to triple-digit levels that would amount to a bilateral trade embargo.