US and China clash over tariffs and rare earths ahead of Washington summit
Ahead of next month’s US-China summit in Washington, both sides have escalated trade measures, with the US adding tariffs and bans while China tightens rare-earth export rules.
The United States has announced additional tariffs on Chinese imports, placed dozens of Chinese firms on a forced-labor blacklist, and prohibited new Chinese humanoid robots. In response, China is restricting approvals for rare-earth product exports, a leverage point from the previous Beijing talks. A senior Chinese official reported that President Donald Trump has not provided clear guidance to his team, according to former adviser Ryan Hass. A former US trade negotiator said the primary goal now appears to be simply preserving the existing truce.
Why it matters
The escalating trade actions could jeopardize the fragile US-China truce and affect global markets.
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