Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will embark on a pivotal diplomatic mission to Switzerland from May 9-12 for trade negotiations with U.S. Treasury Secretary Bethent, China's Ministry of Commerce confirmed Thursday. The talks come amid escalating tensions over Washington's unilateral tariff policies that Beijing describes as 'illegal and disruptive to global economic recovery.'
The dialogue follows repeated U.S. overtures to address trade frictions through negotiation. 'China has carefully evaluated these messages considering global expectations, domestic interests, and concerns from U.S. businesses and consumers,' stated ministry officials during a press briefing.
Beijing reiterated its dual-track strategy of firm resistance and conditional openness: 'We will fight resolutely if provoked, but keep our door open for equal consultation.' Officials emphasized that any resolution must adhere to principles of mutual respect and benefit, quoting the Chinese adage about observing actions over words.
The ministry warned against perceived U.S. attempts to 'use negotiations as pretext for coercion,' while reaffirming China's commitment to multilateral trade systems and economic globalization. The outcome could significantly impact global supply chains, with analysts noting over $600 billion in bilateral trade at stake.
As the world's two largest economies prepare to engage, businesses and governments across Asia are monitoring developments that could reshape regional economic partnerships. The talks occur against a backdrop of increasing collaboration between China and other nations challenging 'unilateral protectionism.'
