#USChinaTradeTalks Here’s the latest on the U.S.–China trade talks, currently unfolding in London:

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📰 What's Happening Now

1. Talks in London with Global Stakes

Senior U.S. officials—including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer—are meeting China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng continuing a 90-day tariff truce agreed in Geneva mid‑May .

The agenda covers tariffs, export controls, and controversial rare-earth minerals—with the U.S. pushing China to resume shipments that had been restricted .

2. Mixed Optimism

Investors are showing cautious optimism: gold prices have risen (a safe-haven bet) ahead of the meetings .

Asian stock markets, including Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, jumped after the talks began .

But analysts warn outcomes are likely to be stage-managed—expect short-term purchases of U.S. goods, some limited cooperation (e.g., on fentanyl), and not deep structural reforms .

3. Evolving U.S. Leverage

The Trump administration views tariffs as negotiation leverage, but Bloomberg reports suggest the U.S.’s upper hand may be slipping as China weathers the tariffs and continues exporting elsewhere .

China’s exports to the U.S. fell nearly 35% year‑on‑year in May—the steepest drop since early 2020—but its overall export volume remains strong .

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🤔 Why This Matters

Feature Significance

90‑Day Truce Since May 14, both sides have dialed down retaliatory tariffs—U.S. easing from ~145% to ~30%, China from ~125% to ~10% .

Rare Earths Control of rare-earth minerals is a key strategic point—U.S. negotiators want China to restore licenses to key industries .

Broader U.S. Goals The administration aims to reshore critical supply chains, reduce dependence on China, and pressure for changes in Chinese state-led economic practices .

Chinese Resilience Despite U.S. pressure, China continues exporting via alternate routes and maintains its “dual circulation” strategy—industrial