- China says it will honor commitments made in recent trade talks but avoids confirming Trump’s public claims of a finalized deal.
- Trump announced a 55% U.S. tariff rate and rare earth supply agreement, which Beijing has not validated.
- The vague outcome of London’s trade negotiations leaves the U.S.-China deal in a fragile and potentially unstable state.
China has reiterated its commitment to uphold any agreements made with the United States but has refrained from confirming the specific terms claimed by President Trump on social media. In a cautious response to Sky News, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China had made “new progress” in trade talks but stopped short of validating Trump’s declaration that “our deal with China is done.”
Trump Claims Rare Earth Breakthrough, China Stays Silent
Trump took to Truth Social asserting that China agreed to deliver rare earth metals “upfront” and accept a 55% U.S. tariff rate, while the U.S. would grant student access and reduced restrictions in return. But China’s vague confirmation of a “framework” without mentioning specific terms has fueled skepticism about whether the deal is actually finalized—or even mutually understood.
Behind Closed Doors: London Talks Yield Fragile Framework
Delegations met in London this week to stabilize a strained economic relationship, following a Geneva truce and a direct Trump-Xi call. While both sides agreed to return with a framework for leader sign-off, the lack of clarity and unilateral disclosures by Trump may be threatening the diplomacy that’s been built behind closed doors.
Rare Earths at the Center of High-Stakes Negotiations
With rare earth metals playing a critical role in tech and defense production, China’s grip on this supply has been a powerful bargaining chip. Trump’s public framing of a one-sided deal may alienate Chinese leadership—especially as Beijing has remained cryptic about the specifics. Any further missteps could escalate the already volatile trade war, leaving global markets—and supply chains—on edge.
