US, China resume face-to-face trade dialogue as tariff pause continues

A senior Chinese trade official is set to visit Washington this week for what is expected to be the first in-person dialogue in the U.S. capital as part of efforts to establish a regular trade dialogue during an extended tariff truce.

Li Chenggang, vice commerce minister and top aide to China’s lead negotiator He Lifeng, will meet with deputies of U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, officials at the Treasury Department, and representatives of the U.S. business community, Caliber.Az reports via American media.

The talks come after the U.S. and China agreed to extend their pause on higher tariffs through early November and to ease export restrictions on key goods, including rare earth magnets from China and certain U.S. technology products.

The visit reflects a shift in tone by the Trump administration, which has focused on opening China to more American business and technology. President Trump said on August 25 that he is considering a trip to China later this year or shortly thereafter to advance trade negotiations.

Despite the progress, tensions remain. Trump has called on China to increase purchases of American soybeans — a demand that Beijing has yet to meet — and the U.S. is preparing to step up scrutiny of Chinese imports of steel, copper, and lithium over alleged forced labour in Xinjiang.

During this week’s talks, Li is expected to discuss soybean purchases, the removal of 20% tariffs linked to fentanyl trade, and easing restrictions on tech exports to China. Analysts describe Li as a tough yet effective negotiator with years of experience using global trading rules to push back against the U.S.

The July decision to lift the ban on Nvidia H20 chip sales to China has sparked debate in Washington over balancing commercial interests with national security. Meanwhile, U.S. business leaders emphasise the importance of sustained negotiations to address broader issues in China’s economic and industrial policies.

“We’re very encouraged to see the two sides engage in direct negotiations,” said Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council. “There are opportunities for the two sides to make progress on critical issues that extend beyond tariffs and export controls to broader trade matters.”

By Tamilla Hasanova