Reuters News - Signs of new U.S.-China trade discussions emerge as increased tariffs loom

WASHINGTON/BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States and China gave signs on Thursday that they will resume trade talks as the two economic superpowers discussed the next round of in-person negotiations in September ahead of a looming deadline for additional U.S. tariffs.

A new round of U.S. tariffs on some Chinese goods is scheduled to take effect on Sunday, threatening to escalate an already bitter trade war.

President Donald Trump said some discussions were taking place on Thursday, with more talks scheduled. China’s commerce ministry also said a September round of meetings was being discussed by the two sides, but said it was important for Washington to cancel a tariff increase.

“There is a talk scheduled for today at a different level,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News Radio, without giving details. A spokesman for the United States Trade Representative could not immediately be reached for comment on the planned call.

“China wants to make a deal,” Trump said in the interview, adding that China was losing millions of jobs under pressure from U.S. tariffs. “I think they want to make a deal, I sort of think they have to make a deal. We’ll see what happens.”

The Trump administration on Sunday is scheduled to begin collecting 15% tariffs on more than $125 billion in Chinese imports, including smart speakers, Bluetooth headphones and many types of footwear.