Paris talks, Xi‑Trump summit uncertain
High-level US‑China economic talks wrapped in Paris and negotiators said preliminary managed‑trade and agriculture deals could be ready for leaders to sign — if a Xi‑Trump summit proceeds on schedule announced. But President Trump signaled he might delay the Beijing meeting to pressure China over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, injecting fresh uncertainty into whether any leader‑level signings will happen reported.
U.S. negotiators in Paris were led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (bloomberg.com) and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (politico.com), while China’s team was headed by Vice Premier He Lifeng. (bloomberg.com) Officials in Paris flagged renewed agricultural buying as a key topic, with Washington previously saying China committed to buy 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans this season and 25 million metric tons annually for the next three years. (agcanada.com) Delegates also explored creation of “managed‑trade” mechanisms meant to formalize oversight of purchases, investment and dispute channels between the two economies, rather than ad‑hoc purchases alone. (cnbc.com) The leaders’ summit has been scheduled for March 31–April 2, 2026 on U.S. and White House announcements, though Beijing has not yet made a formal confirmation of the dates. (usnews.com) President Trump warned in a Financial Times interview that he might delay the Beijing meeting while pressing China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, telling reporters China sources about 90% of its oil via the strait. (bloomberg.com) Markets reacted: Chicago soybean futures fell more than 2% on the day, slipping below $12 a bushel, after news of summit uncertainty and the Hormuz standoff. (bloomberg.com) U.S. officials in Paris, including Bessent, publicly said any postponement would more likely stem from the Iran war and related security needs than from trade disagreements. (msn.com)
