US-China Trade Negotiations Stall Slightly Amid Rare Earth Mineral Export Concerns and Tariff Deadline
Published on 6.12.25
US-China trade talks have made modest progress in recent weeks, with negotiators agreeing on a framework that will remove some export restrictions. The agreement, reached by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and China's Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang, is set to be reviewed by their leaders before it can be finalized.
Despite this development, concerns remain due to Washington's allegations that Beijing is blocking exports of rare earth minerals crucial for aerospace, semiconductors, and defense industries. The release of these minerals has been slower than expected, which has raised concerns among investors.
The talks are time-sensitive, with President Donald Trump's 90-day tariff pause set to expire on July 9, prompting some countries to rush and strike a deal with the US before then. The US may relax export curbs if China improves its licensing process, but observers remain cautious due to ongoing trade uncertainty.