The hope, and the expectation, is that when U.S. officials meet their Chinese counterparts in Stockholm to talk economics and trade next week, they will build on a recent lessening of tensions as the U.S. tries to set up a fall meeting between the countries’ leaders and lay the groundwork for another loosely defined trade pact.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he will meet his Chinese counterparts in Stockholm next week for their third round of trade talks aimed at extending a tariff truce and widening the discussions.