U.S. Links China Tariff Relief to Fentanyl Progress, Eyes Talks Within Months

U.S. Treasury Secretary Abigail Bessent said the United States and China intend to hold another round of trade talks within the next two to three months as the two sides continue to explore ways to stabilize economic relations. She described President Donald Trump’s rapport with Chinese President Xi Jinping as “excellent,” adding that Washington is “solving for several variables” with Beijing. In a Fox Business interview on 12 August, Bessent signaled that any reduction in the 145% tariff on Chinese goods—whose temporary suspension was extended by both governments for 90 days on 11 August—hinges on progress in curbing illicit fentanyl flows from China. “We will need to see months, if not a year, of measurable improvement before tariffs come down,” she said. The comments outline the administration’s dual-track approach of linking trade relief to cooperation on narcotics control while keeping diplomatic lines open. A fresh meeting would be the first high-level engagement since the tariff pause was prolonged, offering a timetable for investors watching for signs of détente between the world’s two largest economies.