Trump hails ‘Amazing Meeting’ with Xi, cites progress on trade and rare‑earths
President Donald Trump praised his recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing the encounter as an "amazing meeting" and saying it signaled a thaw in several contentious areas of the bilateral relationship.
During the briefing following the talks, Trump asserted that there is "no road block at all" on the supply of rare‑earth minerals, a strategic material group in which China currently dominates global production. He added that he hopes the term will disappear from the U.S. policy lexicon for a while, suggesting that forthcoming negotiations could secure more reliable access for American manufacturers.
The president also announced an intention to immediately lower tariffs on a broad range of Chinese exports. The proposed reduction would complement the partial tariff relief granted earlier in the year and is intended to ease pressure on U.S. businesses that have been affected by the trade war that began in 2018. While no specific percentages were disclosed, officials indicated that the move would be implemented through an executive order pending congressional review.
Analysts note that the meeting comes after months of back‑and‑forth over issues ranging from intellectual‑property protections to geopolitical tensions in the Indo‑Pacific region. Industry observers said that a more predictable rare‑earth supply chain could benefit sectors such as electric‑vehicle production and renewable‑energy technology, which rely heavily on these materials.
U.S. trade officials described the discussions as constructive, emphasizing that both sides expressed a willingness to explore “practical steps” that could lead to broader cooperation. Chinese representatives, while not providing detailed statements, were reported to be receptive to the idea of reduced barriers, citing mutual economic benefits.
Looking ahead, the administration plans to convene a task force to monitor the implementation of the tariff adjustments and to assess progress on rare‑earth negotiations. If successful, the measures could mark a shift toward a more collaborative phase in U.S.–China economic relations, though experts caution that broader strategic issues will likely continue to shape the partnership.
