US and China Discuss Agriculture and Trade Mechanisms in ‘Remarkably Stable’ Paris Talks

Senior economic officials from the United States and China held what sources described as “remarkably stable” discussions in Paris on Sunday, exploring potential agreements on agricultural trade, critical minerals and new mechanisms to manage economic relations between the two countries.

The talks were led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, and are expected to lay the groundwork for discussions between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a planned summit in Beijing later this month.

According to two sources familiar with the discussions, the meeting was described as “candid and constructive” and focused on identifying potential agreements that could be presented to the two leaders for final approval.

Agriculture Purchases Under Discussion

One area of discussion centred on China potentially increasing purchases of American agricultural products.

Sources said Chinese officials indicated openness to buying additional US poultry, beef and other agricultural crops, beyond existing commitments.

China is already expected to purchase around 25 million metric tons of US soybeans annually for the next three years, according to one of the sources.

Agricultural trade has long been a central component of economic negotiations between the two countries, particularly as Washington seeks to expand exports to the Chinese market.

New Mechanisms for Managing Trade

Officials also discussed the possibility of creating formal structures to manage trade and investment issues between the world’s two largest economies.

Sources said the two sides are considering proposals for a “Board of Trade” and a “Board of Investment.”

The proposed Board of Trade would focus on identifying industries and products where the United States and China could expand trade in a balanced way while protecting national security interests and supply chains.

The Board of Investment, meanwhile, would address specific investment-related disputes that may arise between the two countries.

Technical discussions on the proposals are expected to continue among officials.

Critical Minerals Also on Agenda

Another topic raised during the talks was access to critical minerals, which are increasingly important for advanced manufacturing and technology industries.

US officials reportedly expressed concerns about the aerospace industry’s limited access to yttrium, a rare-earth element produced in China that is used in jet engine turbines and other technologies.

Sources said both sides discussed ways to ease some of the challenges related to mineral supply, though details of potential solutions were not disclosed.

Energy and Aircraft Purchases

US officials also encouraged China to consider increasing purchases of American energy products, including coal, oil and natural gas.

The talks also touched on the possibility of China purchasing more Boeing aircraft, an issue that has been part of previous economic negotiations between Washington and Beijing.

Preparations for Trump–Xi Meeting

Sunday’s discussions were part of broader diplomatic preparations for the anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi in Beijing at the end of March.

The summit is expected to address trade relations, economic cooperation and geopolitical challenges affecting both countries.

Sources said that while officials in Paris discussed potential agreements, any final decisions would be made directly by the two leaders during their meeting.

Efforts to Stabilise Relations

The Paris talks follow several rounds of meetings held last year aimed at easing tensions between the United States and China.

Officials involved in the discussions said the goal of these engagements has been to create greater stability in economic relations between the two countries.

“All these meetings were to create stability, and today was remarkably stable,” one of the sources said.

US officials declined to publicly characterise the details of the discussions, and Chinese representatives left the meeting venue without speaking to reporters.

Further technical discussions between both sides are expected as negotiations continue ahead of the planned summit in Beijing.