Tariffs and TikTok in play as China and US start trade talks

Discussions in Madrid unlikely to lead to major breakthroughs, but deadline for app’s divestiture could be extended

Another extension of the deadline for TikTok’s Chinese owner to divest its US operations could prove unpopular with both Democrats and Republicans. Stock image. Photo: Getty

US and Chinese officials began talks in Madrid yesterday on their strained trade ties, a looming divestiture deadline for Chinese short video app TikTok and Washington’s demands that its allies place tariffs on China over its purchases of Russian oil.

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent and US trade representative Jamieson Greer arrived shortly before Chinese vice-premier He Lifeng and China’s top trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, at the baroq

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