China warns US against ‘coercion’ as top officials prepare for trade talks

Beijing has warned Washington not to use dialogue as a tactic for coercion as senior US and Chinese officials prepare to hold critical negotiations this weekend in Switzerland, in the first face-to-face discussions since the start of the latest trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with China’s top economic official, Vice-Premier He Lifeng later this week in Switzerland.

The Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday morning that He would visit Switzerland from May 9 to 12. An earlier US statement did not specify which Beijing officials would take part in the meetings.

“He will hold talks with Swiss leaders and relevant parties. During his visit to Switzerland, Vice-Premier He, as the Chinese lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs, will have a meeting with the US lead person Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent,” it said.

In a separate statement, China’s commerce ministry said that Beijing had agreed to engage with the US in discussions “taking into full account global expectations, China’s interests, and the appeals of US industries and consumers”.

The announcements followed repeated hints from Washington that it was considering adjusting its tariff measures and actively relaying messages to China through various channels.