Trade talks between the United States (US) and China in Stockholm continued to enter a second day without any concrete breakthrough on Tuesday, but the US side remained optimistic and confirmed that President Donald Trump will make a final decision on any extension of the tariff truce between the two world economic powers.
Although no official details were disclosed, the bilateral talks led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were said to be proceeding in a "very constructive" atmosphere, according to a statement from the US delegation.
The current truce, which is expected to end on August 12, will also reportedly be extended for another 90 days, according to a report by the South China Morning Post, citing sources from both delegations.
President Trump is scheduled to receive further briefings on Wednesday and stressed that he will make a decision on whether to approve the extension of the tariff truce or not during his flight back from Scotland.
Meanwhile, economic analysts see the continued ceasefire as part of a “political optics” strategy, a more symbolic move to show diplomatic progress, even though actual talks have yet to produce concrete details.
They say the move provides an illusion of stability to global markets and creates space for a political narrative that benefits Trump, especially ahead of a possible meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
