The US president set three key conditions before resuming dialogue with Xi Jinping. Washington and Beijing will negotiate again this week in Malaysia.
donald trump warned that USA will not allow China “playing the rare earth game” and demanded to stop the shipment of fentanyl and resume the purchase of soybeans, just before a new round of negotiations in Malaysia, while a fragile commercial ceasefire It is approaching its expiration on November 10.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he does not want China “play the rare earth game with us”a phrase that reinforces his threat to impose a 100% tariff to Chinese shipments following the announcement of export controls on those minerals.
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The president also asked that Beijing “stop fentanyl”by holding it responsible for not stopping the release of the opioid and its chemical precursors, which feed the addiction crisis in the United States. In addition, he insisted that China must resume purchasing American soybeans, a sensitive point due to the impact on local farmers.
Upcoming talks and rising tensions
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that both powers will maintain talks in Malaysia this week, following a virtual meeting with Vice Premier He Lifeng, described by Chinese media as “constructive”. However, the political climate remains tense: Just over a week ago, Trump had threatened to cancel his first in-person meeting with Xi Jinping since his return to the White House.
The truce between the United States and China expires on November 10, and the lack of concrete agreements threatens to revive the trade war. Washington recently expanded technological restrictions and is considering new taxes on Chinese ships arriving at US ports, while Beijing responded with stricter controls on critical materials.
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Trump said he maintains “a good relationship” with Xi Jinping and hopes to meet with him at the APEC summit in South Korea. “I think we will be fine with China, but we need a fair agreement,” he said.
Soybeans, key in the dispute, fell to zero in Chinese imports this yearafter a flow of US$12.6 billion last year. American farmers, one of Trump’s electoral pillars, suffer low prices and lack of space to store crops. In August, the president called on China to quadruple its purchases and, frustrated by the lack of progress, threatened to ban the entry of Chinese cooking oil.
He fentanylwhich was once seen as a possible cooperation point, It also continues to generate friction. Earlier this year, Trump imposed a 20% tariff on all Chinese goods, while Beijing tightened controls on some chemicals, insisting that the problem “It must be resolved internally in the United States.”
Source: Ambito
