As the dust clears from the most recent phase of US-China relationstrade talks in StockholmThis week, experts noted that the world's two largest economies might be moving toward "indirect methods of discussion" by enhancing alliances with third nations, which could alter the global economic landscape.
The discussions ended on Tuesday after Beijing stated that both parties had decided to prolong their "tariff ceasefire" for an additional 90 days. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump mentioned that the two nations had achieveda "fair" dealon commerce, without offering additional information. No progress was declared on particular matters.
"I believe the confirmation of another 90-day extension is likely the most we can expect right now," said Nick Marro, principal economist for Asia and head of global trade at the Economist Intelligence Unit.
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The reality that no further significant statements have emerged after two days of discussions implies that the conversations might have been somewhat challenging.
Experts concurred that upcoming US-China discussions were expected to extend beyond just bilateral tax rates, as both parties aim togain the support of other trade partnersto match their preferences.
Matteo Giovannini, a senior finance manager at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, stated that the result of the most recent discussions "highlights" how Beijing and Washington are "adjusting" their approaches.
"Although the temporary tariff freeze indicates a desire to maintain communication, neither party wishes to appear as making one-sided concessions. Consequently, we can expect to witness more indirect methods of negotiation," stated Giovannini, who is also a non-resident associate fellow at the Centre for China and Globalisation think tank in Beijing.
He mentioned that upcoming trade discussions would focus on "defining a new standard for the global economic system."
James Downes, who leads the politics and public administration program at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, noted that both nations are "progressively enhancing" direct discussions by focusing on bolstering "economic and strategic relationships" with other countries and regional groups.
Washington has already established trade agreements with multiple key partners such as Britain, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, the EU, Pakistan, and South Korea—before a Friday deadline to complete deals with nations other than China.
The United States has also stated it will levy a 25 percenttariff on Indian goods, along with an extra "penalty" import tax, even though Trump referred to the country as a "friend".
In its efforts, China is strengthening commercial relationships with Latin America, Africa, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) through the use of its Belt and Road Initiative.
Meanwhile, the United States is attempting to decrease its dependence on China byde-risking supply chainsvia collaborations with conventional allies such as the Group of Seven (G7), the European Union, and nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
"By broadening their trade alliances and cultivating new areas of influence, each side can enhance their bargaining power without being pushed into win-lose deals during direct negotiations," Giovannini stated.
The changing approaches indicate a larger realignment of the trade environment, as stated by Downes.
"Although there are continuous direct discussions between the US and China, both nations are progressively using international alliances to expand their influence and define a new, multipolar global order," he stated.
Two opposing methods are forming a new, more divided global structure in which influence and partnerships with either power will affect upcoming discussions.
Nevertheless, Marro cautioned that Washington's "aggressive" trade approach - such as attempts to prevent Chinese products from reaching the US market through third nations - was leading to a"fortress America"and would "last for a considerable period"
"For China, it is probable that it will keep reaching out to its own trading partners to discover new markets and compensate for the possible decline in US demand," he added.
The Stockholm discussions, facilitated by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, represented the third encounter between the teams since both nations imposed tariffs on each other's products.triple-digit rates in April.
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This piece was first published in the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a top news outlet covering China and Asia.
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