The air in the Geneva conference room crackled with an unusual tension. Days of high-stakes negotiations between the US and Chinese delegations regarding the looming tariff war had just concluded, culminating in Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s pronouncement of a “productive” weekend. Yet, beneath the veneer of positive remarks, a bizarre development had left the Chinese side utterly perplexed.
Following a final, closed-door meeting, the US delegation had handed their counterparts a terse, unexpected notice: “We leave it up to you to decide what tariff rates to set on which items, and we would like you to report back to us within the next few days.”
Vice Premier He Lifeng exchanged bewildered glances with China International Trade Representative Li Chenggang. This was not how trade negotiations were supposed to unfold. Their own strategy had hinged on a similar proposal – a bold move to shift the onus of tariff decisions onto the US, forcing them to confront the potential repercussions directly. Now, the Americans had preempted them with an almost identical gambit.
Publicly, both sides maintained an optimistic front. Secretary Bessent spoke of “a great deal” of productivity, promising a detailed briefing on Monday. Ambassador Greer hailed the discussions as “very constructive,” suggesting the differences might not have been as vast as initially perceived. He even expressed confidence that the “deal we struck” would help resolve the “national emergency” of the trade war. Vice Premier Lifeng echoed this sentiment, announcing “substantial progress” and an agreement to establish a consultation mechanism. Li Chenggang hinted at imminent “big news,” assuring everyone that “if the dishes are delicious, then timing is not a matter.”
However, behind the carefully crafted statements, the reality was starkly different. While top officials had indeed met and exchanged pleasantries, no actual working-level talks had commenced. The core issues – the specific tariffs, the affected goods, the mechanisms for enforcement – remained untouched. The talks, in essence, were still blank, a canvas awaiting the first brushstroke of genuine negotiation.
The Chinese delegation huddled in their hotel, the US notice lying on the table like an inscrutable puzzle. Had the Americans somehow anticipated their proposal? Was this a deliberate tactic to sow confusion? Or was it a sign of something else entirely? The unexpected turn of events had thrown their carefully laid plans into disarray, leaving them to grapple with the perplexing initiative from across the table while publicly projecting an image of progress. The “big news” Li Chenggang alluded to felt increasingly uncertain, overshadowed by the baffling request that had landed in their laps. The fate of the global economy, hanging in the balance, now rested on deciphering this unprecedented move in the high-stakes game of international trade.
All names of people and organizations appearing in this story are pseudonyms
White House announces U.S.-China trade deal, offers few details
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