China and the United States to Hold Trade Talks in Malaysia in the Coming Days

China has confirmed plans to hold the next round of trade negotiations with the United States in Malaysia, signaling a renewed attempt by the world’s two largest economies to ease tensions and prevent a further escalation of their ongoing trade dispute. According to Beijing’s commerce ministry, Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead a Chinese delegation to Malaysia from October 24 to 27 for in-depth discussions with U.S. officials on key economic and trade issues.

The upcoming talks come amid heightened trade frictions following Beijing’s recent decision to impose strict controls on its rare earths industry, a move that prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to threaten 100 percent tariffs on Chinese imports. Both nations have also implemented reciprocal arrival fees on each other’s shipping vessels, escalating the standoff sparked by a U.S. “Section 301” investigation into China’s dominance in the critical materials sector.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing have intensified in recent weeks, with President Trump even hinting that he might cancel his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, which begins on October 31. Despite the confrontational rhetoric, Trump has emphasized his desire to reach what he describes as a “good” trade deal with China to end the tariff conflict.

The decision to hold talks in Malaysia follows a recent phone call between Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, during which both sides agreed to resume in-person negotiations. The Chinese commerce ministry stated that the discussions will address key issues shaping the economic and trade relationship between the two countries.

The timing of the talks coincides with President Trump’s visit to Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28 for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. Observers view the Malaysia meeting as a potential opportunity for both sides to de-escalate tensions and lay the groundwork for a broader agreement ahead of upcoming international summits.