US Treasury's Bessent, China's He hold talks in South Korea ahead of summit

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng started talks in South Korea on Wednesday to lay the groundwork ahead of this week's summit of the leaders of the world's two biggest economies in Beijing.



Bessent and He began the talks at Incheon airport after each met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the presidential Blue House, Reuters witnesses said.



The discussions are expected to cover a range of issues to prepare for talks in Beijing between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping that are set to run from Thursday to Friday.



The talks between Bessent and He were likely to be exploratory with limited immediate outcomes, said Kim Tae-hwang, a professor of international trade at Myongji University in Seoul.



"Both sides are essentially in a holding pattern ahead of the summit, sounding each other out, rather than seeking breakthroughs," he said.