US and Chinese officials held a ministerial-level trade video conference on July 30, marking the first publicized high-level trade talks between the two nations in approximately two and a half months.
During the discussions, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng expressed deep concern to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer over recent US trade restrictions, including a 12.5% tariff on most Chinese goods, a ban on imports of humanoid robots, and funding blocks for Shanghai universities. In response, Bessent posted on social media that he expected China to strictly adhere to its commitments regarding agricultural imports and rare earth exports.
Both sides characterized the exchange as frank and constructive, reaffirming the strategic stability framework agreed upon by US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their May summit in Beijing. These talks build momentum ahead of Xi's scheduled visit to Washington on September 24.