U.S. President Donald Trump’s high-stakes trade talks with China have restarted in Geneva, aiming to end a historic tariff war that has rocked economies and redefined global alliances.
At a Glance
- U.S. and China held the first in-person trade talks since the tariff escalations
- Tariffs currently exceed 100% on both sides, with no rollback yet agreed
- President Trump declared the meeting a “total reset” for U.S.–China trade
- Next round of negotiations is scheduled for May 11 in Geneva
- Economic and geopolitical risks loom large over both nations’ strategies
High-Stakes Talks in Geneva
Led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the U.S. delegation met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva for an eight-hour diplomatic session aimed at defusing tensions in the long-running tariff standoff. According to The Epoch Times, the meeting marks the first major face-to-face dialogue since tariffs were hiked to as much as 145%.
President Trump described the talks as a “total reset,” raising cautious optimism that a breakthrough may be possible. Bessent emphasized that “economic security is national security,” reiterating Trump’s strategy to intertwine trade policy with national interest goals.
Watch a report: Trump claims “total reset” after U.S.–China tariff talks.
Geopolitical Shadows Over the Table
While trade was the headline issue, global observers were equally focused on China’s deepening ties with Russia during this negotiation window. These alignments have added strain to talks already complicated by dual national agendas, intellectual property disputes, and market access grievances.
As Barron’s reports, China remains wary of U.S. demands to halt industrial subsidies and restrict data transfers, while the U.S. eyes a rollback of tariffs on consumer goods and tech if substantial reforms are pledged.
Tariff Pressure Hits Economies Hard
The economic costs are mounting. The U.S. has recorded its first quarterly contraction in three years, and China’s manufacturing growth has slowed sharply. As BBC reporting confirms, both sides are under immense pressure to ease tariffs, which currently stand at 145% on Chinese exports to the U.S. and up to 125% on American goods entering China.
Some in Trump’s camp are pushing for what insiders have dubbed a “phase-one deal on steroids”—a partial agreement that could stabilize markets while buying time for deeper structural reforms.
Next Steps and Global Implications
Talks are scheduled to resume May 11, with U.S. officials indicating that a draft agreement may emerge before June. However, any substantive shift will depend on overcoming entrenched disagreements on state control, technology transfers, and enforcement mechanisms.
As Asian Financial Press notes, both superpowers are playing geopolitical chess—not just economic poker. With global supply chains and international investors watching closely, the world waits to see whether this “reset” marks the beginning of a truce—or merely a new phase in an enduring economic cold war.
