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Trade tensions between the U.S. and China are escalating again as both countries prepare for talks in Switzerland this weekend. Chinese officials assert that the U.S. requested the meeting, while the Trump administration appears to dispute that account.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on X that China would enter the talks opposing U.S. tariffs and only under conditions of mutual respect and equality. He warned that trying to force or pressure China into concessions would be ineffective.
The remarks seem designed to shape public perception before negotiations even begin. China, facing 145% tariffs on goods shipped to the U.S., is eager to present itself as reasonable and unwilling to bow to external demands.
President Trump reacted strongly to China’s claims, questioning their version of who initiated the talks. “They ought to go back and study their files,” he said, clearly unhappy with the implication that the U.S. had taken the first step.
When asked if a trade deal was still possible, Trump offered no direct answer but said the U.S. had turned around a major economic loss. He pointed out that the country was no longer bleeding financially in trade with China.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed the talks would begin on Saturday in Geneva. Their Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, is expected to attend and lead his country’s delegation.
Noticeably absent is Peter Navarro, Trump’s top trade hawk, which could signal a softer or more diplomatic approach from the U.S. side. His exclusion might pave the way for less confrontational negotiations.