China, US officials to talk trade in London on Monday

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Summary

High-level trade talks set for June 9 in London

U.S. and Chinese officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, will meet in London to address the ongoing trade dispute between the two nations.

Trump signals progress after call with Xi Jinping

President Trump described a “very good” phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating it ended positively, despite earlier tough rhetoric toward Xi.

Tensions remain on key issues despite temporary deal

Although both countries agreed to reduced tariffs in May, disagreements persist over rare earth mineral exports and U.S. visa restrictions for Chinese students, with potential for tariffs to increase again.

Full story

United States and Chinese officials will be in London, England on Monday, June 9, to talk about the trade dispute between the two countries. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social Thursday, June 5, that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer will be there on America’s side.

In his Truth Social post, Trump said he had a “very good phone call” with Chinese President Xi Jinping “discussing some of the intricacies of our recently made, and agreed to, trade deal.”

“The call lasted approximately one and a half hours, and resulted in a very positive conclusion for both Countries,” Trump said.

This was a departure from a previous post Trump made on Wednesday, June 4 where he said that he “likes President Xi of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!”

According to Reuters, China’s foreign ministry said Vice Premier He Lifeng will be in Britain between June 8 and June 13, and that the first meeting between China and the United States will be during that visit.

Talks to focus on trade

The two countries have been in a trade war since Trump imposed a 145% tariff on goods imported from China, and in response, China put a 125% tariff on American goods. At a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland in May, both sides decided to a 90-day period where tariffs were set to 30% on Chinese goods and 10% on American exports. However, higher tariffs could still be reinstated.

In recent months, China and the U.S. have gone back and forth on several issues. These include rare earth minerals, of which China controls 70% of the supply. The Chinese government restricted exports of several of these minerals, though the Associated Press reported that the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a Saturday, June 7 statement that it granted some approvals and “will continue to strengthen the approval of applications that comply with regulations.”

Another sticking point is the Trump administration’s announcement that it will “aggressively revoke” student visas of Chinese citizens studying in the United States if they have connections to the Chinese Communist Party or are studying fields that they call sensitive.

At the Chinese government’s June 4 meeting in Beijing with David Perdue, China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, told the U.S. Ambassador that America introduced “regrettable” measures which he said are “infringing upon China’s legitimate rights and interests.”

Tags: President Donald Trump, Rare earth metals, Tariff, Tariffs, Trade, Trade Dispute, trade war, Xi Jinping

Why this story matters

Ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and China directly impact global economic stability, international relations and the regulatory landscape for trade between two of the world's largest economies.

Trade negotiations

Talks between U.S. and Chinese officials determine the direction of tariffs, trade barriers and economic policies that affect international commerce.

Tariffs and economic policy

Changes in tariff rates and economic policies, as reported by both governments and international agencies, influence pricing, supply chains and business operations worldwide.

Diplomatic relations

The interactions and statements from leaders and officials on both sides, including claims of positive or tense engagements, signal the health and direction of U.S.-China diplomatic engagement.

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Synthesized coverage insights across 35 media outlets

Behind the numbers

The articles cite recent tariff changes: the U.S. reduced tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% for 90 days, while China dropped tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. These numbers represent substantial shifts that could ease financial pressures on businesses and consumers in both countries—at least temporarily—while trade talks continue.

Global impact

The suspension of high tariffs and opening of fresh trade talks between the U.S. and China have significant ripple effects in the global economy. According to various sources, market volatility and uncertainties in global supply chains may ease if negotiations are successful, but persistent differences pose ongoing risks to international commerce.

The players

Key individuals include U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Organizations involved are the U.S. Treasury Department and the Chinese government. These parties play critical roles in both the ongoing negotiations and implementation of trade and currency policies.

Sources

Bias comparison

Media outlets on the left framed the U.S.-China trade talks as fraught with "new disputes" and a "fragile truce," emphasizing American provocations via export controls and visa revocations.
Not enough coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
Media outlets on the right highlighted President Donald Trump's optimistic assertion that talks "will go very well," casting the 90-day tariff suspension as a positive step toward resolving trade conflicts, often omitting deeper technological or geopolitical tensions

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Media landscape

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35 total sources

Key points from the Left

U.S.-China trade talks in London are facing new disputes that threaten the fragile truce over tariffs.
Both nations had agreed in Geneva last month to suspend most tariffs for 90 days amid concerns of recession.
Both countries have exchanged criticisms regarding advanced semiconductors, rare earth minerals and Chinese student visas.

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Key points from the Center

On June 9, three senior members of U.S. President Donald Trump's team will convene in London with Chinese officials to discuss resolving the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China.
This meeting follows a 90-day tariff suspension agreement reached on May 12 in Geneva, amid ongoing tensions fueled by disagreements over rare earth minerals and trade practices.
The United States reduced tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China cut its tariffs on US products from 125% to 10%, though allegations of violations remain disputed.

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Key points from the Right

U.S. officials will meet with Chinese representatives in London on June 9, 2025, to discuss ongoing trade conflicts.
U.S. President Donald Trump anticipates a positive outcome following a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Both nations have recently agreed on a 90-day suspension of most tariffs, though unresolved issues remain, including those related to rare earth minerals.

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