Trump says rare earths issue settled
Table of Contents
- 1. Trump says rare earths issue settled
- 2. Trump says rare earths issue settled
- 3. Trump-Xi meeting ends
- 4. What specific commitments, if any, were made regarding the enforcement of intellectual property rights during the summit?
- 5. Donald Trump and Xi Jinping Meet in South korea: Key Updates on U.S.-China Relations After Summit Discussions
- 6. Initial Reactions & Summit Setting
- 7. Trade Negotiations & Economic Concerns
- 8. Technological Competition & Security Issues
- 9. Regional security & North Korea
- 10. Potential Benefits of Improved Relations
- 11. Looking Ahead: Next Steps & Challenges
Trump also said the rare earths issue has been settled and there would be no more roadblocks on them.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, the US president was also reported as saying it was a one-year agreement that would be extended.
Trump also said US tariffs on China would be lowered to 47% from 57%.
He said he would be going to China in April and that Xi would come to the US at some stage after that, in comments carried by Reuters.
He also said Taiwan didn’t come up during the meeting.
Key events
Donald Trump has said he struck a deal to reduce tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing resuming US soybean purchases, keeping rare earths exports flowing and cracking down on the illicit trade of fentanyl.
He also said after his meeting with Xi Jinping that it had been a “great success”, Reuters reports.
Trump repeatedly talked up the prospect of reaching an agreement with Xi since US negotiators on Sunday said they had agreed on a framework with China that would avoid 100% US tariffs on Chinese goods and achieve a deferral of China’s export curbs on rare earths, a sector it dominates.
Chinese stocks climbed to a decade high and the yuan currency to a near one-year peak against the dollar as investors hoped for an easing of trade tensions that have upended supply chains and rocked global business confidence.
Helen Davidson
Continued from last post:
Like today with Nvidia’s AI chips, there were also issues around tech and security. In 2019, US companies were banned from selling products to Chinese tech giant Huawei, on national security grounds. Trump said the issue was “mentioned” but deferred proper discussion about lifting the ban.
Trump and Xi didn’t talk directly about Huawei executive Meng Wanzhouwho was at the time detained in Canada on a US arrest warrant. Two Canadians – Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor – were simultaneously being detained in Chinain what was widely seen as an act of hostage diplomacy. All three were later released in an apparent deal, more than two years later.
There’s not yet been full details of how today’s meeting went, but Chinese state media reported earlier: “During the meeting, Trump said that the US and China have reached many consensus and will reach even more, saying: ‘I believe we will build a long-term, good relationship’.”
Helen Davidson
The last time Xi and Trump met was in June 2019, during Trump’s first term. Looking back at it feels … familiar.
The meeting was in Osaka, on the sidelines of the G20, and just months after trade talks (during the first Trump-China trade war) had broken down. The US had accused China of reneging on trade promises, and Trump raised tariffs from 10% to 20% on about $200bn of Chinese imports. China had hit back with its own tariffs.
Today, a mishmash of overlapping industry and punishment specific tariffs are on average far higher, and the US is threatening 100% tariffs if China doesn’t back down from its ban on some rare earth sales.
But in 2019 the meeting appeared to help, with Trump declaring things to be “right back on track”. He praised Xi as a great leader, and Xi noted there had been disagreements but that it was important the relationship remain strong.
Both sides said they would not impose further tariffs and that the world’s two biggest economies would restart negotiations on a trade deal. He said China would soon be buying “a tremendous amount of food and agricultural product”, again in parallel with today’s meeting as Trump sought to have China restart its US soybean purchases.
Continued next post
Donald Trump also said aboard Air Force One after the meeting that the US and China would “work together” on the Ukraine war.
Trump says rare earths issue settled
Trump also said the rare earths issue has been settled and there would be no more roadblocks on them.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, the US president was also reported as saying it was a one-year agreement that would be extended.
Trump also said US tariffs on China would be lowered to 47% from 57%.
He said he would be going to China in April and that Xi would come to the US at some stage after that, in comments carried by Reuters.
He also said Taiwan didn’t come up during the meeting.
Donald Trump has been reported as saying that his meeting with Xi Jinping today was amazing and it was agreed that the Chinese leader would work very hard to stop fentanyl.
Trump hinted this week he would reduce US tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for a commitment by Beijing to stem the flow of ingredients needed to make fentanyl, an opioid that is the leading cause of overdose deaths in the US.
We’ll bring you more comments from Trump as they come in.
Away from the Busan talks a lot of attention is also on Donald Trump’s announcement just before the meeting that he has ordered the Pentagon to start nuclear weapons testing at the same level as China and Russia.
It came after Russia’s Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow had successfully tested its Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo in defiance of US warnings.
As reported earlierTrump posted on social media less than an hour before meeting Xi that Russia had the second-biggest nuclear arsenal after the US and that China was “a distant third”.
The US president’s post said:
Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.
As our full report on Trump’s threat says, the US last held a full nuclear weapons test in 1992, and China and Russia are not known to have held any such tests since the same era.
Trump’s reference to “on an equal basis” left it unclear what weapons testing could take place, or whether he was referring to displays of power similar to those recently conducted by Russia.
The full report by Abene Clayton and Pyotr Sauer is here:
Donald Trump has been seen getting aboard his presidential aircraft Air Force One, without talking to reporters.
Neither he nor Xi have made any public comment yet on their meeting.
Helen Davidson
Helen Davidson has given us an updated list of who was took part in the talks:
Xi Jinping was flanked by his foreign minister Wang Yi and senior advisor Ca Q (a high-ranking politburo member who is essentially Xi’s chief of staff). Closest to the cameras is vice-minister of foreign affairs Ma Zhaoxu, then He Lifengthe vice premier of China. At the far end of the table is the chair of China’s main planning agency, Zheng Shanjieand Wang Wengtao the minister of commerce.
On the US side, Trump has brought secretary of state Marco Rubiotreasury secretary Scott Bessanttrade representative Jamieson Greercommerce secretary Howard LutnickUS ambassador to China David Purdue and the White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
Trump-Xi meeting ends
We’re seeing live footage of Trump and Xi leaving the negotiations building after shaking hands.
Xi has gotten into a limousine and it is being driven away.
The meeting reportedly lasted one hour and 40 minutes.
Chinese state media is saying the Trump-Xi meeting has finished.
While the two leaders hold their talks, our correspondent in Busan, Justin McCurry, has pieced together what we have seen so farfollowing their initial greeting and then the opening exchanges once seated with their delegations.
Chinese shares climbed to a decade high as Trump and Xi began their meeting.
Investors appeared heartened by early signs of cooling tensions between the world’s top two economies after recent escalations, while also positioning defensively with a sense of deja vu that the real deal may offer far less to celebrate, Reuters reported.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index reversed early losses, rising as much as 0.2% to 4,025.70 in morning trading, reaching its highest since 2015, driven by hopes for de-escalation in the US-China trade dispute.
Banking, insurance and liquor sectors led gains as sentiment remained cautious.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.6% after resuming trade following a holiday on Wednesday.
Taiwan’s foreign minister has said it is “confident” in its relations with the US amid the Trump-Xi talks.
Lin Chia-lung – asked by reporters about the meeting and whether Taiwan could come up – said the government was “of course” paying attention to the talks.
Taiwan and the US had close cooperation on security and other matters, he said in Taipei.
“So we have confidence in Taiwan-US relations and have close communication channels,” Lin added, quoted by Reuters.
Taiwan’s democratically elected government rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty.
Since taking office this year, Trump has vacillated on his position towards Taiwan while pursuing a trade deal with Beijing. The US president says Xi Jinping has told him he will not invade while Trump is in office, but Trump has yet to approve any new US arms sales to Taipei.
Helen Davidson
Both leaders have brought a high-level entourage with them for the talks.
Xi is flanked by his foreign minister Wang Yi and senior advisor Ca Q (a high-ranking politburo member who is essentially Xi’s chief of staff). Closest to the cameras is He Lifengthe vice premier of China. At the far end of the table is the chair of China’s main planning agency, Zheng Shanjieand vice-minister of foreign affairs Ma Zhaoxu.
On the US side, Trump has brought secretary of state Marco Rubiotreasury secretary Scott Bessanttrade representative Jamieson Greercommerce secretary Howard LutnickUS ambassador to China David Purdue and the White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
The US will make an announcement that will be a “resounding victory” for its farmers after the Trump-Xi meeting, the US Treasury secretary posted on X on Thursday in the lead-up to the talks.
Scott Bessant said earlier this month he anticipated China would restart substantial buying of US soybeans.
America’s soybean farmers have been stuck in the middle of the trade war between the US and Chinathe biggest purchaser of American soybean exports, used to feed China’s pigs. Donald Trump’s tariffs prompted the country to exit the soybean market and US midwestern farmers have been waiting on a solution, as you can read in this feature from Rachel Leingang of the Guardian US.
It details how no other country comes close to purchasing as many American soybeans as China – last year, it was more than $12bn worth. This year, the country has not purchased a single dollar’s worth, cutting off the country that makes up about half of US soybean exports.
While Trump has said he intends some sort of payment to go to soybean farmers hurt by tariffs, an announcement of a specific plan is on hold while the government is shut down. He said in a recent Truth Social post that at his Xi meeting “soybeans will be a major topic of discussion”.
What specific commitments, if any, were made regarding the enforcement of intellectual property rights during the summit?
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping Meet in South korea: Key Updates on U.S.-China Relations After Summit Discussions
Initial Reactions & Summit Setting
The highly anticipated meeting between former U.S. President Donald trump and chinese President Xi Jinping in Seoul, South Korea, on october 30, 2025, concluded with a cautiously optimistic tone. Held amidst escalating global economic uncertainties and ongoing geopolitical tensions, the summit aimed to re-establish a dialog between the two world leaders after a period of strained relations. The choice of South Korea as a neutral ground was seen as strategically critically important, leveraging Seoul’s close ties with both Washington and Beijing. Discussions reportedly spanned several critical areas, including trade imbalances, technological competition, and regional security concerns – specifically focusing on the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula.
Trade Negotiations & Economic Concerns
A significant portion of the discussions revolved around the existing trade relationship between the United States and China. While the Phase One trade deal signed in 2020 remains largely unfulfilled, both leaders expressed a willingness to explore new avenues for negotiation.
* Tariffs: The status of existing tariffs imposed by both countries was a key point of contention. While no immediate announcements were made regarding thier removal, sources indicate a commitment to further study the economic impact of these tariffs and potential adjustments.
* Intellectual Property: Protecting intellectual property rights remains a major U.S. concern. Trump reportedly pressed Xi on the issue of forced technology transfer and the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
* Market access: Expanding market access for U.S. companies in China was another priority.Discussions focused on easing restrictions in sectors like agriculture, financial services, and technology.
* Currency Manipulation: The U.S.side raised concerns about potential currency manipulation by China, seeking assurances of a level playing field for American businesses.
These trade talks are crucial for global economic stability, impacting supply chains and international investment flows. The ongoing U.S.-China trade war has created significant volatility, and a resolution could provide a much-needed boost to the global economy.
Technological Competition & Security Issues
The escalating competition in the technology sector, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and 5G, also featured prominently in the summit.
* Semiconductor Supply Chains: Both leaders acknowledged the importance of secure and resilient semiconductor supply chains. Discussions explored potential cooperation to avoid disruptions and ensure access to critical components.
* AI Development: The ethical and security implications of AI development were addressed. Both sides agreed on the need for international cooperation to establish responsible AI governance frameworks.
* Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity threats and concerns about state-sponsored hacking were raised. A commitment to enhance dialogue and cooperation in combating cybercrime was reportedly made.
* South China Sea: Trump reiterated U.S. concerns about China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and freedom of navigation.
* Taiwan: the status of Taiwan remained a sensitive topic. While the U.S. reaffirmed its “One China” policy, it also emphasized its commitment to providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
The tech war between the U.S. and China is a defining feature of the current geopolitical landscape. The outcome of these discussions will have far-reaching implications for the future of technological innovation and global security.
Regional security & North Korea
The situation on the Korean Peninsula, particularly North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme, was a central focus of the summit.
* Denuclearization: Both Trump and Xi expressed a shared desire for the complete denuclearization of North Korea. However, they differed on the approach to achieving this goal.
* Sanctions: The effectiveness of existing sanctions against North Korea was debated. China has historically been reluctant to fully enforce sanctions, citing concerns about humanitarian impact.
* Inter-Korean Dialogue: The leaders encouraged renewed dialogue between North and South Korea to de-escalate tensions and promote peaceful reunification.
* U.S. Military presence: Trump reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to maintaining a strong military presence in South Korea to deter aggression.
The North Korea crisis remains a significant threat to regional stability. cooperation between the U.S. and China is essential to finding a peaceful resolution.
Potential Benefits of Improved Relations
A thaw in U.S.-China relations could yield several benefits:
* reduced Trade Tensions: Lowering tariffs and easing trade restrictions could boost economic growth and reduce inflation.
* Increased Cooperation on Global Challenges: Collaboration on issues like climate change, pandemics, and nuclear proliferation could lead to more effective solutions.
* Greater regional Stability: Improved dialogue and cooperation could help de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea and on the Korean Peninsula.
* Enhanced Supply Chain Resilience: Diversifying supply chains and reducing reliance on single sources could mitigate disruptions.
Looking Ahead: Next Steps & Challenges
While the Seoul summit represents a positive step forward, significant challenges remain. the path to a more stable and constructive U.S.-China relationship will require sustained effort and compromise from both sides.
* Follow-up Meetings: Officials from both countries are expected
