Top U.S. and Chinese Officials Discuss Trade Issues Ahead of APEC

Top officials from Washington and Beijing held frank talks on Friday, November 6, 2026, about their testy trade relationship ahead of an upcoming Asia-Pacific summit in China.

The Phone Call

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a call with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to discuss economic and trade commitments made over the last year. The American side stressed the need for China to fully and immediately carry out its commitments and raised concerns about recent actions by Beijing. Meanwhile, Mr. Lifeng expressed serious concerns over recent economic and trade restrictive measures from the United States, though the state media report did not specify which measures he meant.

Background and Agreements

The discussions trace back to an October 2025 meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, during the APEC summit. That agreement required China to buy U.S. soybeans through 2028 and to suspend new export controls on rare earths. While the accord initially lasted one year, the two countries extended the ceasefire to January 2027 during Mr. Jinping's visit to the White House in September.

Upcoming Summit

China is hosting this year's APEC gathering on November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen, which may include a trilateral meeting involving Mr. Trump, Mr. Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Beijing's Foreign Ministry stated it is in contact with Washington and Moscow about this possibility. During the recent call, both sides agreed to properly manage differences and promote a stable trade relationship. However, Beijing also expressed firm opposition to new U.S. sanctions targeting Cuba that affected two Chinese companies, calling it contrary to previous presidential consensus. Trade experts note that rare-earth exports remain a key friction point, as these materials are needed for smartphones, cars, and military equipment.

Context

The United States and China are the world's two largest economies, and their trade ties directly affect global markets, supply chains, and the cost of manufactured goods everywhere. High-level diplomatic talks between these nations are common before major international gatherings like the APEC summit to iron out policy disagreements or set agendas for their leaders.