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Trump Says China Will Resume Rare Earth Exports Ahead of London Trade Talks

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to resume exports of rare earth minerals to the United States, a critical step forward as trade delegations from both nations prepare to meet in London next week.

“Yes, he did,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked whether Xi had made the commitment during a recent call. The confirmation comes amid renewed efforts to ease trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

China dominates the global supply of rare earth elements—such as samarium, gadolinium, terbium, and dysprosium—which are essential in producing electric vehicles, advanced weaponry, and semiconductors. The minerals have become a major point of leverage in ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations.

Beijing had previously slowed the approval of export permits to U.S. companies, citing what it called “hostile actions” from Washington, including steep tariffs and tightened restrictions on semiconductor shipments. The Trump administration, for its part, accused China of weaponizing the critical mineral supply chain.

Saturday’s statement from China’s Ministry of Commerce appeared to signal a limited easing of restrictions. The ministry announced that it had approved “a certain number of compliant applications” and pledged to “continue to strengthen the approval of compliant applications,” though it did not name the countries that would benefit.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing had flared earlier this year after China retaliated against President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs with a 10% levy on American imports. The U.S. currently maintains a 30% tariff on Chinese goods.

A May de-escalation meeting reduced some of the most punitive measures, setting the stage for the upcoming negotiations in London. Both governments are sending high-level trade delegations to the U.K. capital, following a lengthy phone call Thursday between Trump and Xi.

Beijing is expected to push for the removal of U.S. export controls and a rollback of tariffs, while Washington will demand greater market access and reforms to what it calls China’s “unfair trade practices.”

In a sign of potential momentum, a Chinese commerce spokesperson also noted that Beijing had established a streamlined channel to expedite rare earth export approvals for European Union companies, though it remains unclear whether similar provisions will extend to U.S. firms.

With key supply chains and national security concerns on the line, the outcome of next week’s London talks could redefine the next phase of U.S.-China economic relations.

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