Geneva summit: Trump’s seemingly "wild" negotiating strategy with China

Just hours after President Donald Trump’s trade team departed for critical economic talks in Geneva, he seemingly threw a curve ball into the discussions suggesting on social media that he might reduce the US's 145% tariffs on China to 80%—a move that appeared spontaneous but had already been internally discussed among his negotiators. While US officials were prepared for the possibility, the announcement caught Chinese officials off guard.

Trump’s claim that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would make the final tariff decision was more symbolic than procedural, with an article by CNN suggesting it was meant to elevate Bessent’s stature in the eyes of Chinese negotiators. In truth, any final deal will come down to Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

Bessent, alongside US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, arrived in Geneva for two days of meetings with Chinese officials led by Xi’s top economic adviser, He Lifeng, and expected attendee Wang Xiaohong, Xi’s senior security aide that kicked off on May 10.

The White House is treating these China talks as distinct from its wider effort to secure trade deals with over 20 countries, including key Indo-Pacific partners like Japan and South Korea. Some of these separate negotiations are being used as leverage to pressure Beijing by isolating China in broader trade frameworks.

This early-stage US–China dialogue aims first at mutual steps to reduce tensions, potentially laying the groundwork for larger trade discussions. Priorities for the US include stopping China's facilitation of fentanyl production and reviving elements of the 2020 Phase One deal. Export controls on rare earths by China are also on the radar as a possible area for near-term cooperation.

Still, officials acknowledge that long-term progress will be slow and unpredictable, especially with Trump known for abrupt changes in direction. Trump’s advisers are seizing this weekend’s talks as a chance to break free from a prolonged and risky diplomatic stalemate. In the lead-up to the meeting, they’ve observed encouraging signs that—after months of deadlock—have materialized into a familiar, carefully orchestrated negotiation process.

Both Washington and Beijing announced the talks in a loosely synchronized manner. Each side claimed their lead negotiators were simply passing through Geneva—a city long used as neutral ground for high-stakes diplomacy, including the historic 2021 meeting between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin when they met for the first time face-to-face. Publicly, both Beijing and Washington have held firm to their negotiating red lines, yet have also hinted at newfound flexibility through aligned media and diplomatic channels.

The high-profile roles of Bessent and Greer underscore the seriousness of the effort. Bessent now represents the public face of Trump’s economic strategy, while Greer brings senior-level experience from Trump’s first term. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett noted that China’s recent signals have been “very promising,” suggesting a respectful tone heading into the talks.

Despite lingering tensions and recent retaliatory moves by Beijing, both governments are approaching the negotiations with what appears to be a renewed focus on de-escalation. Trump’s team sees this as a chance to break a prolonged stalemate that has placed mounting strain on the global economy and both nations’ domestic stability.

By Nazrin Sadigova