Time for a break: He (third from left) leaving for lunch during a break in a meeting with the US trade delegation in Kuala Lumpur. He is accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing (left). — Bloomberg
KUALA LUMPUR: Top economic officials from the United States and China have begun talks in Kuala Lumpur, as both global powers seek to resolve ongoing tariff tensions and lay the groundwork for a possible meeting between their presidents next week.
The Chinese delegation was seen arriving just before noon yesterday at the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, located within the Merdeka 118 tower.
They were received by a delegation from the Finance Ministry led by its secretary-general of Treasury, Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.
Journalists gathered at the hotel lobby on the 75th floor as senior Chinese officials, including Vice-Premier He Lifeng and top trade negotiator Li Chenggang, arrived for the talks.
The US delegation was led by Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who met with He and other Chinese counterparts.
The meeting followed US President Donald Trump’s recent warning that Washington could impose additional tariffs of up to 100% on Chinese imports starting next month.
No statement was issued after the meeting, but a spokesman for US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the discussions as “very constructive”.
Trump’s tariff threat came in response to Beijing’s announcement on Oct 9 to restrict exports of rare earth materials and impose retaliatory port fees on vessels that are US-built, flagged, or operated, beginning Oct 14.
This marks the fifth round of high-level trade talks between both nations since May, and is widely seen as a step towards a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in South Korea later this month.
Trump is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia today as part of his first Asia tour since taking office.
He is expected to travel to Japan tomorrow, before heading to South Korea, where he is expected to meet Xi.
