Senior officials from the United States and China have resumed high-level trade talks in Madrid, focusing on tariffs, trade disputes, and the looming TikTok Deadline. The discussions bring together top representatives from both nations, including US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
The talks come after a 90-day trade truce agreed in July, which eased tariffs and reopened rare-earth exports to the US. However, Washington has extended certain tariffs on Chinese goods until November 10. The TikTok Deadline, set for September 17, has been added to the trade agenda, creating additional urgency for negotiations.
The TikTok Deadline requires the Chinese-owned social media platform to divest its US operations or face a potential ban. US officials have indicated another extension may be possible, marking the fourth deadline since the Trump administration first intervened. Congress has repeatedly cited national security concerns, pushing for TikTok’s sale to a US entity.
Trade experts warn that the Madrid talks are unlikely to result in major breakthroughs. Officials suggest structural issues, such as China’s economic policies and the broader US demand for domestic consumption focus, may take years to resolve. Discussions on TikTok are expected to continue alongside broader trade negotiations.
Another significant topic during the US-China Trade Talks is Washington’s call for China and other nations to halt Russian oil purchases. The US argues that these imports fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Officials have urged coordinated efforts among allies to curb Russian revenues, linking energy policy with broader economic and security strategies.
Spain’s government is hosting the talks in Madrid, aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties with both Washington and Beijing. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hopes the meeting will highlight Spain as a key mediator in global trade diplomacy, despite ongoing challenges between the US and China.
The TikTok Deadline remains a central focus, highlighting the intersection of technology, security, and trade in the ongoing negotiations between the world’s two largest economies.
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