US-China Trade Talks in Seoul Ahead of Xi-Trump Summit

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng will meet in Seoul, South Korea, on May 12 and 13, 2026, for trade negotiations. Both nations confirmed the meetings on May 10, 2026, marking the final round of negotiations before a scheduled summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The meetings in Seoul occur immediately preceding a state visit by President Trump to China, which is scheduled for May 14 and 15, 2026.

China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that He Lifeng will lead a delegation to hold economic and trade consultations with the US side. A spokesperson for the ministry indicated that the discussions will be guided by the important consensus reached during previous phone calls and a meeting between the two heads of state in Busan.

The ministry further noted that the consultations in Seoul will address economic and trade issues of mutual concern.

Treasury Secretary Bessent confirmed the travel plans in a post on X. According to the post, Bessent will first travel to Tokyo on May 12, 2026, to meet with Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Following the meetings in Tokyo, Bessent will travel to Seoul on May 13, 2026, for the discussions with He Lifeng.

He Lifeng, who is 70 years old and a long-time confidant of President Xi, has served as the lead negotiator for Beijing on economic and trade affairs with Washington since taking office as vice-premier in March 2023.

The South China Morning Post reports that these negotiations follow a series of diplomatic engagements intended to prepare for the upcoming state visit, including a round of talks held in Paris in March 2026 and a video call conducted in April 2026.