White House adviser sees promising signals ahead of U.S.-China trade talks in Switzerland

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Friday that early signs ahead of this weekend’s U.S.-China trade talks in Switzerland appear positive, with both sides showing mutual respect and a constructive tone.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett expressed optimism on Friday about the upcoming U.S.-China trade talks set to take place in Switzerland over the weekend.

Speaking to CNBC, Hassett - who serves as director of the National Economic Council - said he had spoken with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shortly before they departed for the meeting Thursday night.

"Everything that's been going on with the meeting in Switzerland is very promising to us," Hassett said. "We're seeing extreme respect, treating both sides with respect. We're seeing collegiality and also sketches of positive developments."

The talks are seen as a potential step toward easing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The meeting will include high-level officials, including China’s economic policy chief He Lifeng, and comes amid growing hopes for a path toward de-escalation.

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