Trump hints at major shift in US-China trade ties ahead of Swiss talks

US President Donald Trump has voiced confidence that the United States and China can reach a mutually beneficial trade agreement, ahead of this week’s high-level consultations between the two countries in Switzerland.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “I think we will come back with a fair deal for both China and us,” when asked about his expectations for the upcoming negotiations, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

The talks are seen as a potential step toward easing longstanding trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Despite his optimism, Trump tempered expectations, indicating that he would not view a lack of immediate progress as a setback. “We already made a great deal. We're not doing business with China right now. We lost $1 trillion last year with China,” he remarked.

The White House has maintained a tight veil of secrecy regarding the upcoming US-China trade discussions, indicating that substantive developments will be disclosed only after the negotiations conclude.

“I think that everything will happen while the talks are happening, not before,” National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told reporters on May 9, when asked whether there would be any tariff reductions ahead of the meeting.

“Scott Bessent and Jamison Greer are entering the negotiations with an open mind, working in close coordination with their counterparts, and there will be no announcements concerning tariffs or other matters until the talks are complete,” he added.

While the meeting is scheduled for May 10, a source familiar with the planning noted that the discussions could extend into May 11, depending on how the negotiations unfold.

By Vafa Guliyeva