He Lifeng, Bessent Meet in Seoul Before Trump‑Xi
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- He Lifeng will attend consultations on mutual economic and trade issues in Seoul on May 12‑13, according to China’s commerce ministry.
- Scott Bessent announced he will meet He Lifeng in Seoul and then travel to Beijing for the Trump‑Xi leaders’ summit.
- Scott Bessent also scheduled talks in Tokyo on May 12 with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, plus other sector representatives.
- Trump‑Xi summit is expected to focus on easing trade tensions and Taiwan issues, while the Middle East war looms in the background.
- Trade talks aim to finalize announcements for the summit, building on the year‑long trade truce agreed in October in South Korea.
Why it matters: US exporters and Chinese manufacturers stand to gain as the May 12‑13 Seoul talks aim to lock in trade concessions before the Trump‑Xi summit, reducing tariff uncertainty and stabilizing markets.
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