Breaking | China, US trade talks start in Kuala Lumpur ahead of possible Xi-Trump summit

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have started a new round of trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, paving the way for a possible meeting between the presidents of the world’s two largest economies.

The two sides are expected to discuss issues crucial to China-US economic and trade relations, China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed on Thursday.

The meeting in the Malaysian capital marks the fifth face-to-face meeting between He and Bessent since US President Donald Trump escalated his trade war in April.

Trump swiftly responded with a threat to increase tariffs on Chinese goods by an additional 100 per cent, starting on November 1. Meanwhile, a temporary trade truce between the two countries is set to expire next month.