White House clarifies US-China trade ‘framework’ after sudden Trump announcement

The United States and China reached a “framework” agreement aimed at implementing a deal based on bilateral trade talks that started last month in Geneva, Switzerland, the White House said.

“Everybody, everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it, right? I know [US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer] and [Commerce Secretary] Howard [Lutnick] and [Treasury Secretary] Scott [Bessent] are working overtime, making deals with other countries,” he said.

“You remember a few months ago, the press was saying, ‘Do you really have anybody of any interest?’ Well, we just signed with China yesterday, right?”

“We are starting to open up China, things that could have never happened,” he added.

Trump made the comments during remarks at a White House event aimed at promoting a government spending bill that he wants lawmakers to pass by July 4, America’s Independence Day.