Ambassador Jamieson Greer, a key senior trade official under President Donald Trump, will be in those important conversations this week. He will specifically get down to work on trade and economic issues in Switzerland. She’ll kick things off with a roundtable discussion with reductionist staff of the Office of the United States Trade Representative. This in-person meeting will be hosted at the USTR Mission to the World Trade Organization. Following these early discussions, he’ll be traveling to Geneva. In particular, there he will meet face to face with his equivalent from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The meetings come at an important moment in time. Both Washington and Beijing express desire to begin negotiations, with both countries in a deepening and aggravating trade war. Greer has an important meeting scheduled with U.S. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent. Bessent will be in Switzerland to participate in discussions with Chinese officials and others. Bessent’s presence underscores the importance of these talks, which aim to address various trade issues while working towards a more balanced international economic environment.
While in Switzerland, Greer and Bessent are set to meet with Karin Ketter-Sutter, President of Switzerland. This meeting will enhance ongoing negotiations on reciprocal trade and deepen economic ties between the United States and Switzerland.
“I look forward to having productive meetings with some of my counterparts as well as visiting with my team in Geneva who all work diligently to advance U.S. interests on a range of multilateral issues.” – Ambassador Jamieson Greer
Similarly, the U.S. Treasury Department has highlighted its focus on advancing economic ties around the world. Secretary Bessent shared optimism about the coming negotiations. She stressed the need to rebalance the entire international economic system to serve U.S. interests.
“I look forward to productive talks as we work towards rebalancing the international economic system towards better serving the interests of the United States.” – Secretary of the Treasury Scott K.H. Bessent
China is desperate to come to the table. He was clear to say that the U.S. is prepared to engage when conditions are appropriate.
“They want to negotiate and they want to have a meeting and we’ll be meeting with them at the right time.” – Donald Trump
Greer’s visit is an important piece of President Trump’s nationwide strategy. This strategy is based on recalibrating our trade relations to promote greater trade reciprocity and to protect national security interests.
“At President Trump’s direction, I am negotiating with countries to rebalance our trade relations to achieve reciprocity, open new markets, and protect America’s economic and national security.” – Ambassador Jamieson Greer
U.S. officials are attempting to jump start a new front on addressing long-term trade predicaments. In addition, the meetings in Switzerland are intended to bolster good relations with important international partners. As conversations begin, U.S. officials and their Chinese counterparts will both be looking for points of convergence on urgent economic priorities.
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