US China Talks TikTok Delay
US-China Trade Talks in Madrid Stretch On, TikTok Deadline Likely to Be Extended
MADRID – High-stakes trade talks between U.S. and Chinese officials wrapped up after six hours in Spain’s capital on Sunday, with little sign of a breakthrough but strong expectations that a deadline for TikTok’s U.S. divestment will once again be extended.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, leaving Spain’s ornate Palacio de Santa Cruz, told reporters simply: “We’ll start again in the morning.” He and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer led discussions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and senior negotiator Li Chenggang.
This is the fourth round of negotiations in as many months, part of an effort to stabilize relations strained by President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The delegations previously met in Stockholm in July, where they agreed to a 90-day trade truce and restarted the flow of rare-earth minerals to the U.S. Trump has since approved extending current tariffs of about 55% on Chinese goods until November 10.
TikTok Extension Looms
Trade analysts say the Madrid talks are unlikely to yield major results, with the focus instead on a probable extension of the September 17 deadline for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban.
A source familiar with the matter said the administration is preparing to grant a fourth extension, noting that TikTok’s inclusion on the official agenda signals political cover for the move.
“I’m not expecting anything substantive unless there’s a direct Trump–Xi meeting,” said William Reinsch of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in such a summit, but Beijing is holding out for concessions on U.S. export controls and tariffs before agreeing.
Former U.S. negotiator Wendy Cutler said more concrete agreements—such as a TikTok resolution, easing of restrictions on Chinese soybean purchases, and fentanyl-related tariff cuts—may be saved for a possible Trump–Xi meeting at the APEC summit in Seoul in late October.
Russian Oil Pressure
Beyond tariffs and tech, the Madrid talks are also touching on China’s trade with Russia. Washington is pressing Beijing to crack down on illicit shipments of high-tech goods that could aid Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
On Friday, Bessent urged G7 allies to impose tariffs on imports from China and India over their purchases of Russian oil. The U.S. has already slapped an extra 25% tariff on Indian goods, but has not yet imposed similar measures on China.
The G7 finance ministers said they are accelerating talks on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
What’s Next
China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed that the agenda includes U.S. tariffs, export controls, and TikTok. Negotiations will resume Monday morning, with press conferences expected later in the day.
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