#USChinaTradeTalks
**đşđ¸đ¨đł USâChina Trade Talks Are Back On â This Time in London**
**1. Whatâs Going On?**
After a 90-day pause in trade tensions (thanks to a deal struck in Geneva this past May), the U.S. and China are back at the negotiating table. That earlier truce brought down U.S. tariffs from a sky-high 145% to 30%, and Chinaâs from 125% to 10%. But now, things are heating up againâespecially over tech, rare-earth minerals, and even student visas.
**2. Whoâs at the Table?**
From the U.S. side:
* Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
* Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
* U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer
Representing China:
* Vice Premier He Lifeng
Their shared goal? Go beyond the Geneva agreement and tackle some of the long-term issuesâlike tech exports and mineral supply chainsâthat keep coming up.
**3. The Big Issues**
đ **Rare Earths & Export Controls**
China currently handles nearly all of the worldâs rare-earth processingâand has recently paused exports. The U.S. wants to stabilize access to these materials, which are essential for EVs, aerospace, and defense.
đť **Tech & Chips**
Tensions are rising over Washingtonâs expanded export bans (think AI and Huawei). The London talks will try to find common groundâor at least set some guardrails.
đ **Other Friction Points**
Student visa rules, Taiwan, and fentanyl trafficking are also complicating the conversationâeven if theyâre not strictly trade-related.
**4. How Are Markets Reacting?**
So far, investors are watching with cautious hope:
* U.S. stock futures (S\&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq) are flat to slightly down
* In Asia: Kospi +1.9%, Nikkei +1.1%
* Oil prices (Brent) are holding steady around \$66/barrel, as markets eye signs of a trade breakthrough
\#USChinaTrade #TradeTalks #LondonSummit