China, US prepare for next stage of high-level talks ahead of Xi-Trump summit

China and the US are stepping up contacts before an expected meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. Trade, the Middle East and wider strategic tensions are set to shape the summit.

In Short

• Chinese FM Wang Yi urges equality, respect and stronger communication
• Trade truce extension likely with tariff cuts on energy and agricultural goods
• Wang and Rubio discuss Middle East peace and Strait of Hormuz reopening

China and the US are preparing for the next round of high-level engagement, with Beijing signalling the need for greater communication ahead of an expected meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump next week.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the upcoming diplomatic exchanges with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a phone call on Thursday, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

Wang said the two countries should "prepare well for the next stage of high-level interactions in the spirit of equality, respect and reciprocity." He added head-of-state diplomacy serves as the "anchor" of China-US relations and called for both sides to strengthen communication, expand cooperation, manage differences and respect each other's core interests.

The call came a week before Xi's expected visit to the US. Trump has said he will meet Xi in Washington on September 24 and is reportedly planning to personally receive the Chinese President at Andrews Air Force Base when he arrives.

TRADE TRUCE EXTENSION TAKES SHAPE

Prospects for extending the US-China trade truce are also improving, with the two sides discussing tariff reductions on some goods, including American energy and agricultural products, ahead of the leaders' summit. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that he would meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng this weekend before Trump and Xi meet.

Bloomberg News reported that Washington and Beijing are considering lower tariffs on selected goods. The talks could also produce an agreement to reduce duties on Chinese inputs used by US manufacturers, according to people familiar with the discussions.

The measures are expected to follow an earlier framework for reciprocal tariff reductions covering about $30 billion in trade. Under the proposal, some Chinese products could receive most-favoured-nation tariff rates, the people said.

An extension of the year-long trade truce could remove one source of uncertainty for the global economy as wars in Iran and Ukraine, higher oil prices and renewed inflation concerns weigh on markets and borrowing costs.

MIDDLE EAST ALSO ON AGENDA

Wang and Rubio also discussed the situation in the Middle East, according to Beijing. The conversation followed Wang's meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday. Wang urged Iran and the US to remain rational, exercise restraint, return to the interim peace deal they signed in June and "engage in substantive consultations".

He also called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the trade discussions, the upcoming summit is expected to face broader challenges, including China's ties with Iran and Russia and the continuing US-China competition over advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.

- Ends