video screenshot

 

US President Donald Trump proclaimed a "great success" after meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, though Beijing's response was notably restrained. While Trump is optimistic about reaching a prompt deal, China is pursuing a long-term strategy. Both nations emerged from the meeting with plans for the US to lower tariffs, while China intends to halt restrictions on exporting rare earth minerals, crucial for various technologies.

 

The talks, considered a breakthrough after months of negotiation, aim to stabilise strained relations between the world's two largest economies. However, the pause offers only a temporary reprieve, with fundamental tensions still unresolved. Kelly Ann Shaw, a former adviser to Trump, remarked that the US and China are diverging paths, focusing on minimising damage rather than mending ties.

 

While Trump has flattered and pressured leaders during his Asia trip, China's Xi offered only a South Korean air base meeting, reflecting China’s cautious but firm trade war stance. China responded proportionally to US tariff hikes, escalating but strategically de-escalating the conflict. Keyu Jin highlighted that this approach signals China's intent to endure tariff impacts while maintaining its economic stance.

 

China flexed its control over rare earth exports, crucial to the US, showing its leverage in negotiations. The move underscored China’s strategic advantage in the rare earth supply chain, according to economist Jason Bedford. Despite domestic challenges like a real estate crisis and high youth unemployment, China’s firm resolve indicates it is not bending easily to US pressure.

 

In the aftermath, businesses and other nations caught in the trade conflict welcome the reduced tensions, albeit cautiously. Analysts like Shaw predict potential destabilisation within months, as the underlying issues remain contentious. Despite efforts, a comprehensive deal remains elusive, with China showcasing resilience and a refusal to capitulate to Washington.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Trump declared meeting with Xi a "great success"; China less upbeat.
• Trade talks indicate temporary thaw, but fundamental tensions persist.
• China demonstrates economic resilience and strategic bargaining strength.

 

Related Story:

Trump and Xi's Crucial Meeting: Future of Economy at Stake

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-10-31

 

 

Let's see if anything comes of this, pretty much every aspect of this man is premature, and so announcing progress with regard to his negotiations with Xi would have to be considered premature. 

 

China holds a much stronger hand at this stage of the game as they've been pivoting away from the US towards SE Asia and many other nations around the world. The sad reality is that the US needs China 10 times more than China needs the US. Trump has to get beyond the arrogance and hubris, and start to understand this reality. 

 

Is he simply too thick and too ignorant to acknowledge this, will the problems continue and will one of the worst negotiators on the planet be able to make a real and lasting deal with China? 

 

Xi....no more rare earths.

 

TACO comes running............ sorry, sorry.......drops tariffs by 23%.......Art of the deal......5555

17 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Let's see if anything comes of this, pretty much every aspect of this man is premature, and so announcing progress with regard to his negotiations with Xi would have to be considered premature. 

 

China holds a much stronger hand at this stage of the game as they've been pivoting away from the US towards SE Asia and many other nations around the world. The sad reality is that the US needs China 10 times more than China needs the US. Trump has to get beyond the arrogance and hubris, and start to understand this reality. 

 

Is he simply too thick and too ignorant to acknowledge this, will the problems continue and will one of the worst negotiators on the planet be able to make a real and lasting deal with China? 

 

You guys keep looking at it from the standpoint of what he threatened.  Which any reasonable person would have known was a negotiation ploy.

 

I look at it from the standpoint of whether we're in a more favorable position than we were last year (or the last 20 years).

 

Let's wait and see...

 

 

Trump is being lauded for fixing a problem he created. What a man. 

32 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

You guys keep looking at it from the standpoint of what he threatened.  Which any reasonable person would have known was a negotiation ploy.

 

I look at it from the standpoint of whether we're in a more favorable position than we were last year (or the last 20 years).

 

Let's wait and see...

 

 

Farmers cannot wait and see. There are many ordinary people caught up with high prices that can’t wait. The crisis can soon become structural and may not return back to normalcy. 

Trump LOST his insane and damaging trade war.

Why would anyone be surprised?

 

 

 

Open Mic night on this one.

 

1st China is our the US fierce competitor.

I can understand both sides 

US (sanctioned countries, products, that China has agreements to receive for loans provided)

Is there Once a statement from US government about how we admire, and respect what China has been able to accomplish in a short amount of time.

Blaming China for USA missteps, slow pace, government failure to plan, offer grants, or invest in the future of US and companies that can compete globally.

 

China has it own style, own way of doing business, beliefs in what direction to take and an objectives importance.  Let people globally decide what they want and what direction they choose to follow.

 

If the US can focus, incentivize, and motivate US companies and plan better, be more objective oriented and not as interested in the theatrics there may be a chance.

 

It appears Both Countries realize what is important for both countries to prosper, innovate, grow, trade, and maintain a cordial relationship so both can have a future others admire and to look forward to.

18 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

Xi....no more rare earths.

 

TACO comes running............ sorry, sorry.......drops tariffs by 23%.......Art of the deal......5555

"Art of the Deal"? Spot on—Trump's bluff (tariffs as "massive increase") forced Xi's hand without full war, echoing Phase One (2019: China bought $200B US goods). No "TACO running sorry"—this was mutual de-escalation, with Trump holding leverage (US software export curbs on deck).

 

Xi blinked first on rare earths; that's the win. Laugh all you want, 5555, but history shows tariffs work when you follow through. Deal closed—your move.