(VOVWORLD) - US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that he is "optimistic" about trade talks with Beijing, following a new surge in tensions over rare earth exports.
 Containers of China COSCO Shipping Corporation.Ltd are seen at the Port of Long Beach, Los Angeles County, the US (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) |
“We are now communicating at a very high level," Bessent said, adding that "there have been many outreaches."
Both sides are holding working-level talks on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's annual meetings, Bessent said. He also noted that US President Donald Trump still planned to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the near future.
Bessent said previously that additional tariffs against China “would not go into effect until November 1,” depending on whether negotiations for a larger trade deal will succeed.