7 h. ago Can Trump’s pragmatism override China hawks to keep ties from rupture?

China’s rocky trade relationship with the United States was on full display this month as US President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports. Separately, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent denounced China’s move to expand curbs on rare earth exports, calling it “a sign of how weak their economy is”. He also described Li Chenggang, one of China’s trade negotiators, as “pretty unhinged and very aggressive”. Trade ties between the rival powers remain fraught, even...

Politics

21 h. ago Can Scott Bessent see China’s trade counterstrike with clear eyes?

After a video call last Saturday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng are expected to meet in Malaysia this week to hopefully ease tensions before US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping potentially meet on the sidelines of this year’s Apec summit. The meeting was in doubt when Trump threatened to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on China, despite later relenting that it might not be sustainable. Washington blamed Beijing for the escalation,...

Events

21 h. ago The View | Can Scott Bessent see China’s trade counterstrike with clear eyes?

The View | Can Scott Bessent see China’s trade counterstrike with clear eyes?  South China Morning Post

Events

35 h. ago China fires top trade negotiator after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calls him ‘unhinged’

China fires top trade negotiator after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calls him ‘unhinged’  New York Post

Events

49 h. ago China replaces negotiator Li Chenggang at WTO, UN after Bessent spat

China replaces negotiator Li Chenggang at WTO, UN after Bessent spat  Nikkei Asia

Events

4 d. ago Top US and China envoys set trade talks after ‘constructive’ phone call

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a phone call on Saturday morning and stated that trade negotiators from their countries would meet next week. “This evening, Vice-Premier He Lifeng and I engaged in frank and detailed discussions regarding trade between the United States and China,” Bessent wrote on social media on Friday evening in Washington. “We will meet in person next week to continue our discussions.” In a separate read-out, China described He’s...

Politics

4 d. ago Top US and China envoys set trade talks after ‘constructive’ video call

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a video call on Saturday morning and stated that trade negotiators from their countries would meet next week. “This evening, Vice-Premier He Lifeng and I engaged in frank and detailed discussions regarding trade between the United States and China,” Bessent wrote on social media on Friday evening in Washington. “We will meet in person next week to continue our discussions.” In a separate read-out, China described He’s...

Politics

4 d. ago Top US and China trade envoys set for talks after ‘constructive’ video call

China and the United States are set to hold fresh trade talks next week, following a video call between Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Saturday morning Beijing time. “Vice-Premier He Lifeng and I engaged in frank and detailed discussions regarding trade between the United States and China,” Bessent wrote on social media after their call. “We will meet in person next week to continue our discussions.” In its readout, China described He’s discussions with...

Politics

4 d. ago Bessent urges IMF, World Bank to take tougher stance on China's economic practices

Bessent urges IMF, World Bank to take tougher stance on China's economic practices  Reuters

Economics

4 d. ago Watch Bessent Says He’ll Likely Meet With China’s He Next Week

Watch Bessent Says He’ll Likely Meet With China’s He Next Week  Bloomberg.com

Politics

4 d. ago Bessent Says Will Meet China’s He in Malaysia Likely Next Week

Bessent Says Will Meet China’s He in Malaysia Likely Next Week  Bloomberg.com

Politics

5 d. ago The squeeze is on: Beijing and Washington flex muscles as narrative war heats up

As China and the United States accuse each other of provoking the latest escalation in trade tensions and disrupting the world economy, analysts say both share a goal in their war of words: applying maximum pressure until a deal is struck. In the past few days, Washington has framed the recent flare-up in relations as “China versus the world”, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggesting on Wednesday that Beijing’s restrictions on the export of rare earth elements unveiled last week made...

Events

5 d. ago MP Materials Stock Rises as Bessent Gives Hope on China Trade and Rare Earths

MP Materials Stock Rises as Bessent Gives Hope on China Trade and Rare Earths  Barron's

Politics

5 d. ago Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent slams China as Beijing threatens "hellfire" over trade war

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent slams China as Beijing threatens "hellfire" over trade war  tag24.com

Events

6 d. ago 500% tariffs on China? Bessent pushes ‘Beijing vs world’ agenda after Trump said US wants to help

500% tariffs on China? Bessent pushes ‘Beijing vs world’ agenda after Trump said US wants to help  financialexpress.com

Politics

6 d. ago Trump admin to seek more strategic equity stakes to counter China, Bessent says

Trump admin to seek more strategic equity stakes to counter China, Bessent says  Investing.com

Politics

6 d. ago Bessent Calls China Trade Negotiator An ‘Unhinged’ Wolf Warrior

Bessent Calls China Trade Negotiator An ‘Unhinged’ Wolf Warrior  Bloomberg.com

Events

6 d. ago US may seek more stakes in strategic companies to counter China, Bessent says

US may seek more stakes in strategic companies to counter China, Bessent says  Reuters

Politics

6 d. ago FirstFT: Bessent warns world will ‘decouple’ from China if it imposes new export controls

FirstFT: Bessent warns world will ‘decouple’ from China if it imposes new export controls  Financial Times

Events

6 d. ago Greer, Bessent blast China's rare earths curbs, urge Beijing not to implement them

Greer, Bessent blast China's rare earths curbs, urge Beijing not to implement them  Reuters

Politics