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China is calling recently concluded trade talks with the U.S., candid and constructive.

But as NPR's Emily Fang reports, the two countries stop short of announcing a trade deal.

China's vice-premier Hele-Fong, who led the Chinese side of the negotiations,

said the weekend talks in Geneva were, quote, in-depth.

And he said there would be more details released on Monday about a trade consultation mechanism

between the U.S. and China.

President Trump suggested dropping a minimum base of 145 percent tariffs on Chinese goods down to 80 percent before the

weekend talks. China has set base 125 percent tariffs on American goods and retaliation.

That's high enough that trade between the world's two largest economies has

effectively been halted. The two countries did not mention lowering levies after their talks.

Emily Fang and Pier News. Mid-East envoy, Steve Whitkoff, is heading to Israel tomorrow, sources

tell NPR, to work out details of the Hamas prisoner release of Eden Alexander,

a dual U.S. Israeli citizen, and the last known living Americans still being held in Gaza.

Amos said today they will release him as part of steps to end the war with Israel, and they say

they want the ceasefire talks to start immediately. Alexander has been held since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, kidnapping hundreds.

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