High-level American Delegation Visits China to Enhance Economic Dialogue Amid Joint Trade Negotiations

China is hosting a high-level delegation of American executives this week in a visit organized by the "US-China Business Council," according to informed sources speaking to Reuters on Monday.

The delegation is led by the CEO of FedEx, Rajesh Subramaniam, who also serves as the chairman of the council. The delegation members are scheduled to meet with senior Chinese officials in a move aimed at enhancing economic dialogue between the two countries.

This visit coincides with a new round of economic talks between Washington and Beijing, taking place in Sweden from July 27 to 30, with the participation of Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua and American officials.

The South China Morning Post reported on Sunday that the American delegation will include executives from companies like Boeing, although Reuters was unable to confirm the other names or the Chinese officials the delegation will meet.

Boeing declined to comment and referred inquiries to the US-China Business Council, which did not immediately respond to the agency's request.

One source confirmed that the US government is not involved in organizing this visit, which is part of joint efforts to prepare the ground for a potential summit between the American and Chinese presidents later this year.

Previous sources indicated that the summit may take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum scheduled in South Korea between October 26 and November 1.

The US-China Business Council organized similar visits in 2023 and 2024, with Subramaniam leading a delegation last year that met with Vice Premier Hu Chunhua and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, discussing issues related to accessing the Chinese market.

China faces a final deadline on August 12 to reach a sustainable trade agreement with Washington, to avoid higher tariffs on its exports. However, previous Reuters sources indicated the possibility of a 90-day extension to enable both sides to reach a comprehensive agreement.