Quick overview

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The U.S. Treasury Secretary and China’s vice premier will meet this weekend in the French capital for a new round of trade negotiations, as tensions rise following fresh U.S. trade investigations targeting 60 economies, including China.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Sunday and Monday in Paris, in what is expected to be the sixth round of trade talks between the two powers since U.S. President Donald Trump revived his tariff offensive against Beijing last year.

The development comes just hours after Washington announced a new investigation into alleged unfair trade practices in 60 countries, including China.

The discussions are seen as preparatory work for Trump’s state visit to China, scheduled for March 31, where he is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing has not officially confirmed the meeting, though Foreign Minister Wang Yi said days ago that “a schedule of high-level exchanges is already on the table” and that 2026 will be “a major year” for bilateral relations.

“Thanks to the relationship of mutual respect between President Trump and President Xi, economic and trade dialogue between the United States and China is moving forward,” Bessent said in a statement. He added that the negotiating team will continue working to ensure outcomes that “put American farmers, workers, and businesses first.”

Underlying tensions

The Paris meeting comes amid growing tensions. On Thursday, Washington announced trade investigations into industrial overcapacity involving 16 key partners, including China. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative also opened probes into 60 economies over alleged forced labor practices.

Beijing responded sharply, calling the investigations illegal, rejecting the forced labor accusations, and warning that it “reserves the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests.”

The moves are part of Trump’s effort to rebuild global tariff pressure after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on Feb. 20 that his global tariffs were illegal. In response, the president imposed a 10% across-the-board tariff for 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.