Washington, Sept. 25, 2025 – White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said Thursday that the United States and China have made “enormous progress” in trade negotiations over the past few months, though key sticking points remain on the table.
Quick Takeaways
- White House view: Hassett says U.S.–China trade talks are moving forward, though hurdles remain.
- Energy concerns: Discussions include China’s purchases of Russian oil, which Washington links to the Ukraine war.
- Agriculture issues: The U.S. is pressing China to resume imports of American farm products.
- Negotiating team: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are in daily contact with Beijing.
- Timeline: Hassett expects further progress before Thanksgiving.
Trade Talks Advance, but Work Ahead
Hassett, speaking in an interview with Fox Business Network, noted that President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are personally engaged in the discussions. Topics range from energy purchases to agriculture, with Washington raising concerns that China’s oil imports from Moscow are helping finance Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“We care very much about the fact that China has stopped buying our agricultural products,” Hassett said. He described the talks as “productive,” but stressed that “considerable work remains.”
Daily Negotiations at High Levels

According to Hassett, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have been speaking “practically every day” with their Chinese counterparts. He added that the frequency and tone of the discussions show significant momentum compared with earlier this year.
The White House hopes to make visible progress on trade agreements by late November.
What This Means for Everyday Readers
For American households and businesses, the outcome of these talks could directly impact prices of goods, farm exports, and the broader supply chain. A breakthrough could ease trade tensions that have weighed on global markets for years, while setbacks could reignite uncertainty.
Bottom line: Negotiators say they are closer to resolving disputes with China than at any time this year, but agriculture, energy, and geopolitics still stand in the way of a full agreement.
For more updates on U.S.–China trade and its impact on the global economy, visit Investment-Guru.net.