China and the United States launched a fresh round of trade negotiations in London on Monday, according to Chinese state media, as both nations attempt to stabilize a fragile truce after months of escalating tariffs.
The discussions are taking place at Lancaster House, a historic venue managed by the UK Foreign Office, following a preliminary round held in Geneva last month. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is once again leading Beijing’s delegation.
Xinhua, China’s official news agency, confirmed the start of the talks.
On the U.S. side, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are heading the delegation. Their participation was announced by President Donald Trump last Friday.
“The meeting should go very well,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “We want China and the United States to continue moving forward with the agreement that was struck in Geneva.”
Although the UK is not directly involved in the talks, a government spokesperson reiterated Britain’s support for open markets. “We are a nation that champions free trade,” the spokesperson said, adding that “a trade war is in nobody’s interests, so we welcome these talks.”
The negotiations come just days after Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first publicly disclosed phone conversation since Trump returned to office. Trump described the call as reaching a “very positive conclusion,” while Xi, quoted by Xinhua, emphasized the need to “steer well and set the direction” of the U.S.-China relationship.
Tensions remain high. Trump has accused China of breaching the tariff de-escalation agreement signed in Geneva in mid-May. “We need China to comply with their side of the deal. That’s what the trade team will be discussing tomorrow,” said Leavitt.
One major sticking point is China’s export of rare earth minerals—key materials in technologies such as electric vehicle batteries.
