China vows to defend ‘justice’ in looming trade talks with U.S.

China vows to defend "justice" in trade talks with the US amid escalating tariffs, aiming for de-escalation.

China vowed on Wednesday (May 7, 2025) to defend “justice” in upcoming trade talks with the United States — their first since Donald Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs that shook global markets.

Since Mr. Trump’s returned to the White House in January, his administration has imposed tariffs totalling 145% on goods from China, with some sector-specific measures stacked on top.

Also read: U.S.-China tit-for-tat tariffs since Trump’s first term: Timeline

Beijing has retaliated with 125% levies on imports from the U.S., along with more targeted measures.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer will attend the talks in Switzerland on behalf of the United States, their offices said.

Mr. Bessent told Fox News that the sides would hold meetings on Saturday (May 10, 2025) and Sunday (May 11, 2025), intended to lay the groundwork for future negotiations.

“We will agree what we’re going to talk about. My sense is that this will be about de-escalation, not about the big trade deal,” Mr. Bessent told The Ingraham Angle show.