The Chinese and U.S. delegations hold talks on economic and trade issues in Madrid, Spain, Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo/Xinhua)
Madrid - Chinese and U.S. trade teams held a new round of talks in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday and Monday, following discussions earlier in Switzerland, Britain and Sweden. Compared with previous rounds, the agenda was more concrete and in-depth, signaling that the dialogue has entered a more challenging stage.
According to Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative and vice minister of commerce, the two sides held candid discussions on TikTok and related concerns, reaching a basic framework consensus on resolving the issue through cooperation, reducing investment barriers and promoting economic and trade ties.
The talks took place at the historic Palacio de Santa Cruz, home to Spain's Foreign Ministry, shortly after 2 p.m. on Sunday. Technical consultations stretched late into the night, resuming early Monday and continuing until the afternoon.
TikTok's inclusion drew particular attention. Since entering the U.S. market, the platform has built a large user base, winning popularity among Americans while contributing to jobs and consumption. Yet it has faced sustained political headwinds, from Donald Trump's threats of a forced sale during his first presidential term to the Biden administration's "sell-or-ban" push and later extensions of the ban's grace period with demands for new controlling stakes. The company has become a symbol of the U.S. politicization, instrumentalization and securitization of trade issues.
At a press briefing, Li reaffirmed that China opposes the politicization, instrumentalization and weaponization of technology and trade matters and will not reach agreements at the expense of principles, corporate interests or international fairness and justice. China will firmly safeguard the national interests, the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, and carry out technology export approval in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, he said.
"It is always good when there is an open channel of dialogue," said Hussein Askary, vice chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden, noting that mutual trust has grown after several rounds of negotiations.
The talks come as the United States has raised tariffs on a wide range of countries, undermining the WTO-centered multilateral trading system and dampening business and consumer confidence. "In the face of change and challenges, all countries should actively safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core," said Liang Guoyong, senior economist at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
Felix Baldivieso, director of the China Research Center at IE University in Spain, said that the talks sent an encouraging message. "The planet's two largest economies are capable of cooperating when global interests require it," he said.
Analysts said that there are no winners in trade wars and no way out through protectionism. By strengthening dialogue, eliminating interference and building trust, China and the United States could work toward a more stable and prosperous global economic order.
Outside the Palacio de Santa Cruz, nearly a hundred journalists observed the proceedings, drawing the attention of residents and tourists. A U.S. tourist said tariffs have pushed up prices back home, citing that a pound of coffee has risen from 10 dollars to 16 dollars. A young Brazilian professional voiced concern over U.S. tariffs on Brazilian beef, warning that a 50-percent tariff would force domestic dumping at low prices, hurting producers.
Fabian Zuleeg, chief economist at the European Policy Centre, a Belgium-based think tank, warned about the serious impacts of the U.S. tariff hikes. "Even the possibility of such tariffs is already creating instability, and if implemented, the global effects would be severe," he said, urging the world to reinforce the multilateral system.