US President Donald Trump confirmed he will travel to China after receiving an invitation from President Xi Jinping during a “very good” phone call that lasted approximately 90 minutes — their first direct conversation since January.
“The call resulted in a very positive conclusion for both countries,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “There should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products.”
The First Lady is also expected to accompany the president on the visit, with both sides preparing for follow-up meetings in the coming days.
The background:
The call comes amid heightened tensions over rare earth minerals, vital to electric vehicles, smartphones, and military tech. On May 12, both sides agreed to temporarily ease steep tariffs — US tariffs of 145% on Chinese goods and China’s 125% counter-tariffs — during a 90-day negotiation window.
China’s April ban on critical mineral exports has caused major disruptions in global supply chains, drawing urgent calls from US industry and defense officials.
Who’s at the table:
Leading the US negotiation team:
– Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
– Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
– US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer
The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed Trump initiated the call, which it described as “constructive,” but also issued a warning: “The US side should take a realistic view of the progress made and withdraw the negative measures imposed on China.”
Why now: Trump is under increasing domestic pressure to reach a deal amid a sharp US economic slowdown and rising corporate backlash over soaring input costs from China.
The administration is also attempting to secure rare earth supplies before China’s export restrictions deepen, which could severely impact US tech, auto, and defense sectors.
What’s next:
No date has been confirmed, but preparations are underway for in-person negotiations at a location to be determined.
Trump’s visit could mark a rare moment of diplomacy during escalating global trade conflicts and growing distrust between Washington and Beijing.
This call marks a significant thaw in US-China relations — but with rare earths at the center of the global tech war, Trump’s visit could either defuse tensions or raise the stakes further.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
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