The Trump administration’s trade war rhetoric towards the People’s Republic of China appears to be softening further with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent telling a group of economists that Beijing has a chance to strike a significant trade accord with Washington as both countries seek to reorient their economies.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a Tuesday speech that the ongoing tariffs showdown with China is unsustainable and expects a “de-escalation” in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday said that the tariff standoff with China is unsustainable and that he expects the situation to de-escalate, a source familiar said.