US Treasury Secretary Bessent to Meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Paris

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Paris on March 15-16, 2026, for a novel round of trade talks, paving the way for President Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing starting March 31.

Preparing for Trump’s Visit to Beijing

The meetings are seen as preparatory work for Trump’s state visit, which Beijing has not yet officially confirmed. The White House has stated that Trump will travel to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the aim of maintaining stability between the world’s two largest economies.

Positive Outlook on US-China Economic Dialogue

Secretary Bessent expressed optimism about the ongoing economic dialogue, stating, “Thanks to the bonds of mutual respect between President Trump and President Xi, the trade and economic dialogue between the United States and China is moving forward.” He added that his team will “continue to deliver results that put America’s farmers, workers, and businesses first.”

First Presidential Visit to China Since 2017

Trump’s visit to China will be the first by a U.S. President since his initial term in 2017. It follows a meeting in Busan five months prior, where the two leaders agreed to a one-year truce in a trade war that had seen tariffs escalate significantly.

Focus of Trade Talks

The business community and analysts are closely watching the talks between Bessent and He for potential agreements during Trump’s meeting with Xi. Key areas of discussion include potential Chinese purchases of U.S. Products, such as soybeans and airplanes, and strategies for managing the trade imbalance.

China’s Perspective

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently stated that 2026 would be a “big year” for China-U.S. Relations. While not confirming the state visit, Wang indicated that “the agenda of high-level exchange is already on the table” and emphasized the need for thorough preparations, a suitable environment, risk management, and the removal of unnecessary disruptions.

Continued Negotiations

Bessent and He have been leading trade negotiations between the two countries since last year, having previously met in Geneva, London, Stockholm, Madrid, and Kuala Lumpur.