The United States and China began the second and final scheduled day of high-level tariff talks in Geneva on Sunday, with U.S. President Donald Trump declaring "great progress" while China signaled continued resistance on core issues. Trump posted on social media that negotiations with Beijing were moving forward and hinted at a possible "total reset" in trade relations. He gave no specifics, and the White House offered little detail about the content of Saturday's discussions. Beijing has not officially commented on the status of the talks, but China's state news agency Xinhua struck a defiant tone, warning that China would "firmly reject any proposal that compromises core principles or undermines the broader cause of global equity." Two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, confirmed that talks resumed Sunday morning at the residence of the Swiss ambassador to the United Nations. The venue, located in Geneva, has hosted the closed-door meetings aimed at de-escalating trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. The talks are being closely watched by global markets, with shipments of Chinese goods stalled at ports as businesses await clarity on tariff changes. Trump last month raised tariffs on Chinese imports to a combined 145%, and Beijing responded with 125% duties on American products. The unusually high tariffs have significantly disrupted the $660 billion trade relationship between the two countries. Even before the talks began, Trump floated the idea of easing tariffs, posting Friday that "80% Tariff seems right! Up to Scott!"—referring to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is leading the U.S. delegation. Though no breakthroughs are expected, analysts say even modest progress could restore some market confidence. Jake Werner, director of the East Asia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said the mere fact that both sides are talking is a positive sign. "Negotiations to begin de-escalating the growing US–China trade war are badly needed and it's a positive sign that both sides were able to gracefully move beyond their bickering over who had to call first," Werner said in an email. The current standoff is rooted in a long-standing dispute over trade practices, industrial subsidies, and intellectual property concerns. Trump's administration has also linked some tariffs to efforts to pressure Beijing to help curb the flow of synthetic opioids like fentanyl into the U.S. China's $263 billion trade surplus with the U.S. in 2024 remains a key source of friction. While both sides have so far avoided public clashes in Geneva, differences on fundamental issues remain wide. — Agencies
