President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping may need to hold a phone call to overcome stumbling blocks in trade negotiations, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday.
The big picture: Bessent helped the U.S. strike a deal with China following a summit in Switzerland earlier this month that saw the world's two largest economies agree to slash tariffs for 90 days.
- Officials in China welcomed the U.S. Court of International Trade's blocking most of Trump's sweeping tariffs on Wednesday, which a federal appeals court temporarily stayed a day later.
What they're saying: "I would say that they are a bit stalled," Bessent said of the negotiation situation on Fox News. "I believe that we will be having more talks with them in the next few weeks."
- Bessent told Fox News' Bret Baier the U.S. and Chinese leaders may, at some point, have to hold a call.
- "Given the magnitude of the talks, given the complexity ... this is going to require both leaders to weigh in with each other," he added.
- "They have a very good relationship. And I am confident that the Chinese will come to the table when President Trump makes his preferences known."