New Delhi, July 29 -- Top trade officials from China and the United States launched a new round of talks on Monday in a bid to ease tensions over tariffs between the world's two biggest national economies.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng were meeting at the offices of Sweden's prime minister for two days of talks, which Bessent has said will likely lead to an extension of current tariff levels.

But other possible outcomes will be scrutinized by markets and businesses for signs of a rapprochement, after brinkmanship earlier this year.

Analysts say the talks could set the stage for a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.

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