Story perspectives

Bessent, He Lifeng Meet Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 2:29 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York on September 20.
The meeting prepared President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit with President Xi Jinping.
Delegations discussed AI security and trade including rare-earth minerals.
The United States and China operate a $30 billion tariff truce that ends on November 10.
President Donald Trump will host President Xi at a state dinner with Nvidia OpenAI and Qualcomm CEOs.

History

Historical Context

China’s 11 December 2001 WTO entry forced sweeping legal reforms and cut tariffs, prompting U.S. imports to rise from $51.5 billion in 1996 to $102 billion by 2001 and launching export-led growth. Today, U.S. official Scott Bessent and Chinese official He Lifeng negotiate a $30 billion tariff truce, echoing the 2001 framework as its November 10 deadline approaches.

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Story summary

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York on September 20.
The meeting prepared President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit with President Xi Jinping.
Delegations discussed AI security and trade including rare-earth minerals.
The United States and China operate a $30 billion tariff truce that ends on November 10.
President Donald Trump will host President Xi at a state dinner with Nvidia OpenAI and Qualcomm CEOs.

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