Bessent Holds Talks With Chinese Vice Premier in South Korea

The talks are expected to set the stage for the high-stakes summit between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in China.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrives at Incheon International Airport ahead of a scheduled meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and trade talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Incheon, South Korea, on May 13, 2026. Kim Soo-hyeon/Reuters

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a closed-door meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng shortly after they arrived in South Korea on May 13 for trade negotiations.

The two held talks under tight security at a VIP lounge at Incheon International Airport in Seoul after their respective meetings with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Yonhap News Agency reported.