China trade negotiator, vice premier arrive for second day of US-China trade talks

Chinese officials are meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit to de-escalate a trade war

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng waves to photographers with China's top trade negotiator Li Chenggang during a break of trade talks between the United States and China, at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Oct 25, 2025. REUTERS

China's top trade negotiator Li Chenggang and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng arrived on Sunday at a venue in Kuala Lumpur for a second day of trade talks between the United States and China.

The Chinese economic officials are meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit to de-escalate a trade war.

The world's two largest economies are looking to avert an escalation of their trade war after US President Donald Trump threatened new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and other trade curbs starting on November 1, in retaliation for China's vastly expanded export controls on rare earth magnets and minerals.

A US Treasury spokesperson told reporters on Saturday that the first day of talks had been "very constructive".

A positive outcome for the talks would remove roadblocks for a meeting next week between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

The White House has officially announced the meeting, but Beijing has yet to confirm that the two leaders will meet.

Trump is expected to arrive in the Malaysian capital on Sunday morning for the summit, as part of a five-day trip in Asia