China and the US held what both sides described Monday as constructive talks aimed at addressing volatile trade ties that have been upended by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the Middle East war.

The talks in the French capital “were constructive and they show the stability of the relationship”, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told journalists.

Chinese state media described the Sunday talks between Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng as “candid, in-depth and constructive”.

He said the exchange would inject “greater certainty and stability” into bilateral trade ties and the global economy, according to Xinhua.

The Paris meeting was widely seen as setting the stage for Trump to visit China for a summit with its President Xi Jinping.

The trip was initially planned from March 31 to April 2, but US officials confirmed Monday that it was likely to be delayed due to Washington’s war on Iran.

Beijing said Monday it was in talks with Washington over the visit by Trump, who has pressured NATO allies including China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier, Trump had

suggested he could delay a meeting with Xi if Beijing does not assist in reopening the strait.

The waterway, critical to oil transportation, has been effectively closed by Iran in retaliation over the US and Israeli war against Tehran.

Beijing’s foreign ministry said on Monday that Beijing and Washington “are maintaining communication regarding President Trump’s visit to China”.

“Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China-US relations,” spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference.

Lin did not address Trump’s recent pressure on NATO allies and China to assist in Hormuz.

The “tense situation” in the strait has “disrupted international trade routes for goods and energy”, Lin said when asked about Trump’s comments.

– Probes and tariffs –

The Paris talks follow a turbulent year in US-China economic ties since Trump returned to the presidency.

The United States announced new trade investigations last week into excess industrial capacity, targeting 60 economies including China and other key partners.

The prospect has fuelled the possibility of further tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s global duties.

The probes will look into “failures to take action on forced labour” and whether these burden or restrict US commerce, according to US officials.