Trade analysts said that with Washington's focus on the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, prospects for a major trade breakthrough are limited.

China's Foreign Ministry criticized the Trump administration's trade investigation as a "pretext" for tariffs. Meanwhile, China is moving ahead with a five-year plan that may rankle trade partners.

China has reported its exports rose nearly 22% in the first two months of the year, while trade with the United States contracted.

China's trade growth handily beat forecasts at the start of the year. Exports continue to be driven by ships, chips, and autos, as global demand offsets the drag from US tariffs.

China typically combines January and February trade data to smooth distortions from the shifting Lunar New Year holiday.

Canada to issue permits for up to 49,000 China-made EVs in 2026 under new trade deal, cutting tariffs to 6.1% from 106.1%.

China imports roughly half of its oil from the Middle East.

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk as they leave after a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo

The discussions, led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, are expected to focus on shifting US tariffs and the flow of Chinese-produced rare earth minerals and ma

China has reported that passenger car sales plunged 34% in February from a year earlier. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said 950,000 cars were sold, down from nearly 1.4 million vehicles sold in January.