#USChinaTradeTalks #USChinaTradeTalks

🇺🇸🇨🇳 Renewed Trade Negotiations: US–China Talks in London

1. Context & Stakes

Following a 90-day truce in Geneva (May 2025), both nations paused escalating tariffs—U.S. tariffs dropping from 145% to 30%, and China’s from 125% to 10% . But tensions resurfaced over semiconductors, rare-earth minerals, and even student visas, threatening a fresh confrontation .

2. Who’s at the Table

U.S. delegation: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer .

China’s side: Vice Premier He Lifeng heads the delegation .

Their mandate: advance beyond Geneva’s pause to tackle deeper issues around technology export controls and mineral supply chains, central to global industrial competitiveness.

3. Key Topics on the Agenda

Rare-Earth & Export Controls

China dominates 99% of the world’s rare earth processing and has already suspended mineral exports due to strategic considerations . America is pushing for easing these restrictions to secure supply chains in industries like EVs, aerospace, and defense .

Tech & Semiconductors

The U.S. has tightened controls on semiconductors and AI-related export tech—especially affecting companies like Huawei—sparking uproar in Beijing .

London talks are expected to either reaffirm or bridge these regulatory divides .

Broader Frictions

Beyond trade, talks are shadowed by issues over China’s rare-earth export limits, U.S. threats to revoke Chinese student visas, and geopolitical matters like Taiwan and fentanyl control—adding layers of complexity .

4. Market Reaction & Economic Signals

Stock & futures markets were cautiously bullish: S&P 500, Dow & Nasdaq futures were flat-to-weak, but Asia markets rallied—Kospi up ~1.9%, Nikkei ~1.1% .

Oil prices held steady (~Brent $66/barrel), buoyed by optimism around trade stability