China, US trade chiefs held candid call ahead of expected Trump-Xi summit

China and the United States confirmed a fresh high-level trade call on April 30, with both sides describing the exchange as candid and constructive ahead of an expected Trump-Xi summit.

China's official readout said Vice Premier He Lifeng held a video call with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. It said the discussion was candid, in-depth and constructive.

Beijing said it raised concerns about recent U.S. restrictive trade measures during the call. The two sides also agreed to keep using the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism.

The U.S. side also signaled the contact publicly. Bessent said on X that he had spoken with He Lifeng about President Trump's upcoming travel to China and described the conversation as candid and comprehensive.

Reuters reported that the call came weeks before an expected mid-May summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The timing suggests both governments are still trying to manage trade tensions before the leaders meet.

For now, the call adds another sign that Washington and Beijing are keeping communication lines open even as they continue to press their complaints about trade policy.