On June 9, 2025, the inaugural meeting of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism took place at Lancaster House in London.
The Chinese delegation was led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, and the U.S. representatives included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
The talks addressed bilateral trade tensions, focusing on trade imbalances, market access, and intellectual property rights.
The U.S. delegation raised concerns about China's export restrictions on rare earth minerals. These minerals are crucial for U.S. technology and defense industries.
Vice Premier He emphasized China's commitment to fair trade and called for the U.S. to resolve disputes through dialogue.
The UK government welcomed the talks, viewing Lancaster House as a neutral venue. The next round of consultations is planned for the United States.