Trump May Cancel China’s Xi Talks Amid Rare Earth Clash/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump suggested canceling a planned meeting with China’s Xi Jinping following Beijing’s new restrictions on rare earth exports. Trump criticized the move as hostile and hinted at retaliatory tariffs. The dispute underscores escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
Trump-China Rare Earths Clash Quick Looks
- Trump questions need for Xi meeting amid rare earth tensions
- China restricts rare earth exports, vital for U.S. tech and defense
- Trump proposes massive tariff hike on Chinese imports
- Rare earths vital for electronics, semiconductors, jet engines, lasers
- Trump accuses China of undermining ceasefire efforts in Gaza
- China requires new permits for rare earth tech and military-linked materials
- Trade talks previously de-escalated tariffs, but tensions are reigniting
- China’s timing questioned, with Trump hinting at political motives
- Trump says world being held “captive” by China’s resource control
- No direct communication yet between Trump and Xi
Deep Look: Trump Considers Canceling Xi Meeting After China Restricts Rare Earths Exports
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump on Friday sharply criticized China’s decision to tighten rare earth export controls, suggesting he may cancel a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his upcoming trip to South Korea. Trump described Beijing’s move as both hostile and politically motivated, signaling a fresh escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions.
“There seems to be no reason to meet with President Xi,” Trump declared in a post on Truth Social, following China’s announcement that it would restrict exports of rare earth metals — critical components for a wide range of American technologies and military systems.
Trump added that his administration is now “calculating a massive increase of tariffs” on Chinese goods as a potential countermeasure, warning that other “serious options” are also being considered to push back against what he called economic coercion.
Rare Earths: A Strategic Resource in U.S.-China Rivalry
Rare earth elements, though not rare in terms of availability, are difficult to mine and process. They are essential for producing:
- Semiconductors
- Jet engines
- Smartphones
- Laser systems
- Electric vehicle components
- Military-grade technologies
With China controlling the majority of global rare earth supply chains, the U.S. has long viewed this dependency as a national security risk. The latest move from Beijing imposes tightened export requirements, particularly for technologies used in mining, smelting, and recycling rare earths. China also announced that requests for exports used in military applications will be rejected outright.
The timing of the announcement — just before a scheduled Trump-Xi meeting — drew suspicion from the president, who implied the decision might have been deliberately timed to undercut his diplomatic achievements, particularly his role in facilitating a ceasefire in the Middle East.
Trump: China Undermining U.S. Leadership
Speaking to reporters and in a string of online posts, Trump accused Beijing of attempting to distract from international developments, referencing the recent Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Trump played a key role in brokering the truce, which includes the release of hostages taken during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack.
“This was a real surprise, not only to me, but to all the Leaders of the Free World,” Trump said of China’s rare earth decision. “I wonder if that timing was coincidental?”
The president framed China’s export restrictions as an effort to “hold the world captive”, adding that such behavior was “especially inappropriate” given the delicate moment of international diplomacy in the Middle East.
Trade War Threat Resurfaces
Although the U.S. and China had tentatively scaled back tariffs following negotiations in Switzerland and the U.K. earlier this year, this latest conflict appears to reignite the trade war narrative that dominated much of Trump’s first term.
Trump emphasized that tariff hikes are once again on the table, stating, “One of the policies that we are calculating at this moment is a massive increase of tariffs on Chinese products coming into the United States.”
Such a move would have wide-ranging consequences:
- U.S. importers and manufacturers could face higher costs
- Global supply chains could be disrupted
- Markets may respond with volatility ahead of the Trump-Xi decision
Trump has not yet spoken directly to President Xi, stating there was “no reason to do so” under the current circumstances.
Geopolitical Implications
This standoff could have broader geopolitical consequences, especially as China continues to assert its dominance in key global industries. The rare earth supply chain has become a flashpoint in the larger contest for technological and economic supremacy, with both nations vying to control future innovation pathways.
Meanwhile, Trump’s stance sends a message to allies and competitors alike: the United States is willing to respond forcefully when strategic resources are used as leverage. However, critics warn that further confrontation could push global inflation higher, strain diplomatic ties, and jeopardize efforts to stabilize supply chains already under pressure from geopolitical unrest and climate-related disruptions.
What Comes Next?
As of now, the Trump-Xi meeting remains in limbo, and the next steps are unclear. While the Chinese government has not formally commented on Trump’s threat to cancel, analysts expect that behind-the-scenes diplomacy is already underway.
With tensions rising, attention turns to whether the U.S. will follow through with new tariffs or seek other forms of retaliation — and whether China will ease restrictions in response.
In the meantime, industry leaders, national security officials, and foreign policy experts will be watching closely as the standoff over rare earth dominance unfolds.
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