Donald Trump Calls US-China Tariff Talks a “Total Reset” After Eight-Hour Marathon in Geneva
Published on May 11, 2025
Washington, May 11:
US President Donald Trump described a breakthrough in negotiations with China, calling the meeting a “total reset… in a friendly, but constructive, manner,” after top-level discussions between both nations concluded in Geneva, Switzerland.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland. Many things discussed, much agreed to… We want to see, for the good of both China and the US, an opening up of China to American business. GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!”
This was the first in-person dialogue involving Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The roughly eight-hour session took place at the residence of the Swiss ambassador to the UN, a secluded villa in the scenic Cologny suburb near Lake Geneva.
The discussions come amid a sharp escalation in trade tensions that began in February with Trump’s decision to hike tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, prompting retaliatory moves from Beijing. Nearly $600 billion in annual bilateral trade has since been disrupted, shaking global markets and supply chains.
Although no official details were released about the negotiation outcomes, both sides concluded the day’s meetings late Saturday with a plan to continue talks on Sunday.
Observers said the location was deliberately kept confidential to avoid public pressure, though local witnesses spotted the delegations returning after lunch to the villa under tight security.
As discussions continue, the US is aiming to shrink its $295 billion trade deficit with China and push for structural economic changes in Beijing that would favor global consumption. However, Chinese officials remain firm, urging Washington to scale back tariffs and respect China’s economic sovereignty.
China’s Xinhua News Agency acknowledged the tensions, blaming the US for “reckless abuse of tariffs,” but called the current negotiations “a positive and necessary step to resolve disagreements and avert further escalation.”
Despite limited expectations from analysts for a significant breakthrough, signs of progress could reassure investors. Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin praised the talks’ initiation, stating that continued engagement would help ease global economic tensions.
China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng is also scheduled to meet WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The WTO welcomed the dialogue and urged both countries to maintain sustained and meaningful engagement.
Trump, who has accused Beijing of unfair trade practices and inaction on curbing fentanyl-linked chemical exports, hinted on Friday at a revised tariff strategy, stating that an 80% duty on Chinese goods “seems right.”
Both parties have claimed the other requested the negotiations. Regardless of the diplomatic nuances, the resumption of dialogue marks a pivotal moment in efforts to de-escalate one of the most consequential trade conflicts in recent history.
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