Trade Talks Between the U.S. and China

The tone in Europe has been somewhat driven by the news that trade talks between the U.S. and China are about to begin, raising hopes for a de-escalation in an ongoing trade war that has shaken markets and threatened to plunge the global economy into a recession.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with their Chinese counterparts for trade negotiations in Switzerland this week, according to their offices' announcement on Tuesday.

Although this announcement marks the clearest signal so far of an opening by both sides to engage in dialogue, it remains to be seen whether this will result in an immediate de-escalation, especially since U.S. President Donald Trump recently indicated that he was in no hurry to sign a trade agreement with any country.