Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng will lead his country’s delegation in trade consultations with the United States taking place in France. The meetings will run from Saturday through Tuesday and mark the sixth round of negotiations between the two sides. Officials say the talks aim to address disagreements that have strained the bilateral economic relationship. Global markets are watching the discussions closely.
China has criticized Washington for launching new trade investigations that could lead to higher tariffs. Beijing argues that these actions escalate tensions rather than resolve them. Chinese authorities say dialogue remains the best path toward settlement. They hope the talks in France will provide an opportunity for constructive engagement.
Officials in Beijing say the United States has begun Section 301 investigations against 16 economies on the grounds of industrial overcapacity. China rejects the claim and describes the probes as unilateral measures. Authorities also pointed to decisions by the World Trade Organization that ruled tariffs from such investigations inconsistent with global trade rules. These rulings form part of China’s argument against the US approach.
Chinese officials also highlighted the interconnected structure of the global economy. Supply chains extend across continents, linking producers and consumers worldwide. They argue that trade enables countries to balance production and demand internationally. Limiting output solely to domestic markets would severely reduce cross-border commerce.
At the same time, China is reviewing additional US investigations involving allegations of forced labor in global supply chains. These probes cover dozens of economies. Beijing said it will analyze the situation and safeguard its economic interests when necessary. The outcome of the negotiations in France may shape future policy decisions.