Behind closed doors: US and China hold high-stakes trade talks

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held closed-door trade discussions in Seoul on Wednesday, May 13, just ahead of the upcoming high-level summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The meeting took place at a VIP lounge inside Incheon International Airport, located west of Seoul, with both sides working to align priorities and set the agenda for the Trump–Xi summit scheduled for May 14, Caliber.Az reports via South Korean media.

Bessent arrived in Seoul earlier the same day from Japan and briefly met South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at Cheong Wa Dae before returning to the airport for further engagements.

Security around the talks was significantly tightened, with all access routes to the lounge sealed off, including restrictions on press entry.

Following the Seoul discussions, Bessent is expected to travel to Beijing to join Trump during his two-day visit to China.

By Jeyhun Aghazada