In anticipation of President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, high-level discussions were held between the US and China in Paris, focusing on the potential establishment of a US-China Trade Committee. The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), where US Treasury Secretary Scott Pruitt and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met for approximately six hours. One of the primary goals of the proposed committee is to identify products and sectors where both nations can collaborate to expand trade without compromising national security and critical supply chains.

This dialogue serves as a critical precursor to the upcoming summit between Trump and Xi scheduled for later in the month. The high-level discussions are particularly relevant given the ongoing tariff and trade conflicts that have escalated during Trump’s administration. As both sides prepare for the summit, they are also addressing issues related to past agreements, and it is reported that the representatives evaluated the progress on the ceasefire established in the October 2019 meeting in Busan. The U.S. emphasized limited transactions and addressed current supply shortages faced by its aerospace industry.

However, the situation could shift unexpectedly, as recent developments have introduced uncertainties. On the eve of the meeting, Trump urged China and South Korea—both major oil importers—to participate in a coordinated operation to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz. Given China’s historically close relationship with Iran, this demand raises questions about China’s potential response and may complicate the already sensitive trade discussions. As both nations seek stability in their trade relations, these geopolitical variables could influences the outcomes of their negotiations and the imminent summit.