US and Chinese officials convened in Stockholm on July 28, 2025 for a five-hour long meeting aimed at addressing lingering economic economic agreements and extending the current tariff truce that expires on August 12. The delegations were led by Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary and He Lifeng, a Chinese Vice Premier. Upon their arrival to Rosenbad (Sweden’s government headquarters), they were welcomed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The meetings were the third time the two sides met in person, with a prior round in Geneva and round two in London. The focus has been a fragile truce that resulted in duelling triple-digit tariffs being reduced and trade resumed in critical goods (supply chains) like rare earths and high-tech components. No expectations of major breakthroughs were anticipated; officials were hoping to extend the tariff pause for another 90 days (which would maintain trade stability, in the face of global supply chain concerns). US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer noted that the focus is on existing agreements (including looking at mineral flow and expert controls) and establishing a path to balanced trade going forward, Political analysts also pointed to the talks as a possible groundwork for a future Trump-Xi summit later in the year.
