U.S. hints at ‘an agreement’ in tariff talks with China as White House signals reboot in relations

• Tariff talks between the U.S. and China continued in Switzerland on Sunday, and while details have yet to come out, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said "substantial progress" had been made. White House officials also expressed optimism that relations will be rebooted. That echoed President Donald Trump, who posted on social media on Saturday that a "total reset" was negotiated.

Concrete details on U.S.-China tariff negotiations remain scarce, but top Trump administration officials indicated Sunday that talks were bearing some fruit.

"I'm happy to report that we've made substantial progress between the United States and China in the very important trade talks," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters, adding that a full briefing with more specifics will come on Monday.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who also participated in the negotiations with a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, suggested some sort of deal was made.

“It’s important to understand how quickly we were able to come to an agreement, which reflects that perhaps the differences were not as large as maybe thought,” he told reporters. “That being said, there was a lot of groundwork that went into these two days.”

Beijing didn't offer any confirmation. The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Earlier on Sunday, the White House signaled optimism that relations are headed for a fresh start, potentially de-escalating trade tensions after President Donald Trump hit China with a 145% tariff and Beijing retaliated with a 125% duty.

At such high levels, trade between the world's two largest economies would come to a near-total halt. While both sides have allowed some tariff exemptions, Bessent previously acknowledged that the current situation is not sustainable.

A comprehensive trade deal wasn't expected this weekend, but that fact that both sides are even talking was still seen as progress.

"I could say that what's going to happen in all likelihood is that relationships are going to be rebooted. It looks like the Chinese are very very eager to play ball and to renormalize things," National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told Fox News on Sunday.

He noted that Trump has said "we're essentially starting over starting from scratch with the Chinese, and they seem to think that they really want to rebuild a relationship that's great for both of us."

Hassett's comments on rebooting relations echo a social media post from Trump on Saturday evening.

“A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland. Many things discussed, much agreed to. A total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform. “We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business. GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!”

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com