China announces new round of trade talks with the US in Kuala Lumpur

Council of China, He Lifeng, Beijing’s chief trade representative and a close ally of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, will lead the Chinese delegation. The US is expected to be represented by senior officials, including those from the Treasury and Commerce Departments. Ahead of the talks, He Lifeng held a phone call with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss key aspects of bilateral trade. Bloomberg reports that the conversation was constructive, focusing on reducing trade barriers. This contact signals both countries’ willingness to seek compromise, especially with the current trade truce set to expire on November 10. Analysts note that Kuala Lumpur was chosen as a neutral venue to avoid political pressure and focus on practical solutions. A key focus of the negotiations will be the agricultural sector, where tensions have reached a critical point. According to China’s General Administration of Customs, data released on October 20 shows that US soybean imports in September ...