US and China Eye Tariff Truce Extension as Global Trade Tensions Escalate

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with Chinese officials in Stockholm next week to discuss extending the deadline for new tariffs, signaling a possible pause in escalating trade tensions. The talks come as President Trump pushes forward with new tariffs on multiple countries, including Canada, the EU, Indonesia, and the Philippines, while also hinting at upcoming tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. Despite previously calling August 1 a 'hard deadline,' US officials now suggest flexibility if negotiations are productive. The ongoing trade disputes have led to market uncertainty, but investors seem to be tuning out the headlines as talks continue. The outcome of these negotiations could have significant impacts on global trade and economic stability.