US Treasury secretary, China’s trade negotiator to hold talks in Spain

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - China's trade negotiator Vice Premier He Lifeng is scheduled to visit Spain from Sunday to Wednesday and will hold trade talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to the Chinese Commerce Ministry.

The US Treasury Department also confirmed talks, saying Bessent and He will discuss "key national security, economic, and trade issues of mutual interest, including TikTok and cooperating on money laundering networks that threaten both the United States and China."

TikTok faces a nationwide ban on national security grounds in the US.

Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson on Friday called on the US to address the issue through dialogue based on mutual respect and consultation, as well as provide an "open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment" for Chinese companies operating in the US.

In July, Chinese and US delegations led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met in Sweden and agreed to extend a pause on tariffs and other trade measures, as the US had set an Aug. 12 deadline for China to reach a trade deal.

Talks in Stockholm followed similar meetings between him and Bessent in Geneva and London.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order and extended a tariff suspension on China for another 90 days to Nov. 10.

But a 10% reciprocal tariff remains in effect during the suspension.

The world’s top two economies were engaged in a tariff war, initiated by Trump, roiling markets before a mutual rollback of staggering levies.

Trump has reached deals with the UK, Japan, the EU and other nations, and continues to hold talks.