Top Chinese, US trade officials huddle in Sweden for second day of thorny talks over tariffs
Associated Press1 day
US-China Trade Talks in Stockholm End Without Clear Agreement
Above: Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (C) arrives for trade talks with the U.S. in Stockholm, Sweden, on July 29, 2025. Image copyright: PAR BACKSTROM/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
While China hopes for a fair trade deal with the U.S., should talks end in failure and Washington reignite a tariff war, it could backfire on Americans. Global trade is a complex network, not a simple exchange, with tariffs on Chinese goods likely to raise prices and hurt U.S. businesses — this was seen when China shifted agricultural imports from the U.S. to Brazil after the 2018 tariffs. Trump should prioritize a deal for everyone to benefit.
Anti-China narrative
President Trump's tariffs are reshaping global trade for everyone. Deals with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, plus potential EU agreements, are opening markets and boosting U.S. exports with low tariffs, while the EU's 15% reciprocal tariffs could benefit American consumers and producers. Tariffs added $64 billion in revenue, with no major inflation spike — proving Trump's strategy stabilizes markets and counters China's dominance.