Bessent, Chinese vice premier to meet to try to defuse U.S. tariff hike

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News/Reuters

Oct. 18, 2025, 4:00 AM EDT


U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday he expects to meet next week with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Malaysia to try to forestall an escalation of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods that President Donald Trump said was unsustainable.

Bessent made the announcement during a White House cabinet meeting and later confirmed plans for a meeting after a call with He on Friday evening. Bessent said on X the two officials "engaged in frank and detailed discussions regarding trade between the United States and China." "We will meet in-person next week to continue our discussions," Bessent wrote.

China state news agency Xinhua reported that He and Bessent had "candid, in-depth, and constructive discussions on major issues in bilateral economic and trade relations" in a video call, and agreed to a new round of trade talks as soon as possible.

The two officials previously met in four European cities over six months to hammer out a tariff truce that brought duties down from triple-digit levels for each country. That agreement expires on November 10.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/world/china/bessent-chinese-vice-premier-us-tariff-hike-rcna238314

[dalton99a]

1. Only 14% of China's exports go to the U.S. They should keep ignoring Trump.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Cleanup on Aisle Trump. Again.

Pick an aisle. Any aisle.

[zorbasd]

3. Why even bother China!

You already have this pathetic Fascist Regime by the short hairs. Bessent is such a squirmy POS liar.

[BaronChocula]

4. This regime has already admitted

the NEW threatened 157% (?) tariffs aren't realistic. They'll just TACO back from that promise leaving the current tariffs in place and claim "we reached an agreement with China."

And the only thing consumers will know is that prices will continue to rise making Marie Antoilette more unpopular.

[lonely bird]

5. Not to mention

Bessent is an idiot.

[BaronChocula]

6. How did I forget to mention THAT?

But... but... but... he looks like he's out of Central Casting.