Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to speak by phone on Friday with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to discuss the ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and China, a senior Trump administration official told CNBC’s Eamon Javers.
Additional details about the call, including the specific time it will take place or the next steps to be discussed, were not immediately clear. However, this scheduled conversation could signal progress in the U.S.-China relationship, which faced challenges this past week.
Tensions escalated after President Donald Trump reacted to Beijing’s new export controls by threatening an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports. In a Fox Business interview, when asked how such a heavy new tariff would impact the economy, Trump stated, “It’s not sustainable, but that’s what the number is. It’s probably not, you know, it could stand, but they forced me to do that.”
Despite the tensions, Trump expressed optimism, adding, “I think we’re going to do fine with China.” He also mentioned plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping “in a couple of weeks” when both leaders are in South Korea.
Earlier, Bessent remarked at CNBC’s “Invest in America Forum” that there was a “very good chance” he would travel to Asia to meet with Vice Premier He before President Trump’s trip. Bessent also praised He Lifeng, describing him as someone he has “great respect for.”
This upcoming dialogue between Bessent and He could be a crucial step toward easing trade tensions and advancing negotiations between the two global powers.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/17/bessent-china-trade-lifeng.html