Trade discussions between the US and China take place in London amidst increased tensions regarding tariffs.

() President Donald Trump’s top trade advisers are set to negotiate with Chinese officials in London on Monday in the latest attempt to reach a deal and ease the friction with China.

Tensions over tariffs and supply chain disruptions were high heading into the meeting between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and their Chinese counterparts.

The talks are expected to last at least a day, the Associated Press reported.

Last week, Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke via phone. Trump said on social media the call reached a “very positive conclusion” and teased Monday’s talks: “Our respective teams will be meeting shortly at a location to be determined.”

Both sides have accused each other of breaking a month-old deal to roll back triple-digit tariffs for 90 days, which was agreed upon during last month’s meeting in Geneva.

The White House is optimistic about reeling in the trade deficit with China, which was nearly $300 billion last year, according to the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office.

“President Trump, being a deal maker, talked with President Xi, and he said, let’s take, you know, our senior guys and the people who are the same level as you. Let’s have them meet somewhere, and let’s get these things cleared up,” Kevin Hassett, director of the U.S. National Economic Council, told reporters Sunday.

“He literally said I want to meet in London and shake hands on it, so we know we’ve got a deal,” Hassett continued.

China-US trade talks: What to expect

Despite positive posturing, there is plenty for the two countries to disagree on during Monday’s meeting.

The Commerce Department has warned U.S. companies against using Chinese semiconductor chips, saying they could violate the nation’s export rules.

Another point of contention is the flow of rare earth minerals to the United States. China is a top producer of those minerals, which are used in the production of cars, cell phones, robots and military equipment.

The U.S. has called for China to lift export restrictions on the minerals, and China could use that as leverage in Monday’s talks.

Another likely topic of discussion is the Trump administration’s recent decision to revoke visas for Chinese college students studying in “critical fields” with alleged ties to China’s Communist Party.

According to a report from the Institute of International Education, nearly 250,000 college students from China were enrolled in the U.S. during the 2023-24 school year.
China’s Commerce Ministry has accused the U.S. of provoking frictions between the two sides.