Senior US and Chinese officials held their first post-Geneva call
Senior US and Chinese officials held their first post-Geneva call, reaffirming commitment to dialogue. Both sides agreed to maintain communication despite ongoing disputes over semiconductors and tariffs.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Chinese Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu held a high-level call on Thursday, marking the first official contact since the early-May Geneva summit. Both officials “acknowledged the importance of the bilateral relationship” and emphasized keeping lines of communication open, according to a U.S. State Department statement.
This contact comes as part of a continued diplomatic thaw after the Geneva meeting produced a rare joint statement and a mutual decision to lower most tariffs while working toward a broader economic agreement.
Despite de-escalation on tariffs, tensions remain high. Beijing condemned recent U.S. restrictions on Chinese AI chipmakers, calling the move “unilateral bullying” and threatening legal action. In turn, Washington has kept pressure on curbing China’s access to sensitive semiconductor technologies.
The dialogue underscores how fragile the detente is, with disputes over trade and technology continuing to test the limits of cooperation.
Beyond the call, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon in Beijing and reaffirmed China’s willingness to further open its market to U.S. firms. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed positive engagement in the Asia-Pacific as a foundation for improved bilateral ties.
Analysts welcomed the continuity in communication. “It’s a positive sign that the Geneva channel is working,” said Dan Wang of the Eurasia Group, noting that China now knows who its main interlocutors in Washington are.