In recent weeks, the Trump administration has engaged in direct talks with Chinese counterparts, mostly between the top staff at the Chinese embassy in Washington and the U.S. National Security Council, the four U.S. officials said. Staff at the U.S. embassy in Beijing have also been involved.

Japan had long maintained deep economic ties with both China and the United States. Recent trade tensions may challenge that approach.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sparked optimism in financial markets Tuesday when he called the tariff-driven trade war between the U.S. and China "unsustainable" and said it would likely "de-escalate.