GENEVA – China and the United States kicked off on Saturday a high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs in Geneva, Switzerland.

As the Chinese lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng attended the meeting with the US lead person Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.  

He is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

China has agreed to engage with the US on tariff issues after the White House signaled the possibility of adjusting its tariff policies and proactively reached out to Beijing through various channels, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday. The decision on the meeting between He and Bessent was made after China had carefully evaluated the US information and, taking into account global expectations, China's interests, as well as the appeals of US businesses and consumers, it added. 

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"China's position on these matters has been consistent – whether through dialogue or action, China's resolve to safeguard its development interests will not change, nor will its stance and goal of upholding international fairness and justice and maintaining the international economic and trade order," a spokesperson for the ministry said that day.

"China is ready to fight to the end if needed, but its door remains open for dialogue. Any dialogue and negotiations must be based on mutual respect, equal consultation, and mutual benefit."

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If the US wants to resolve the issues through negotiations, it must face up to the severe negative impacts its unilateral tariff measures have had on itself and the world, acknowledge the international economic and trade rules, fairness and justice, added the spokesperson.