President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to communicate soon to address ongoing trade issues, particularly a dispute over critical minerals. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Trump recently accused China of breaching an agreement to jointly reduce tariffs and trade restrictions on crucial mineral supplies. Bessent criticized China for withholding essential products needed by global industrial supply chains, including those in India and Europe. He expressed hope that the issue would be resolved once Trump and Xi speak directly. Although no specific date has been set, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett stated that discussions are underway and a conversation regarding last month's Geneva agreement on tariff disputes is anticipated in the near future. The last known direct communication between Trump and Xi was prior to this ongoing tension. reuters.com
The potential summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping is being referred to as a "birthday summit," as it is planned to take place in the United States. This meeting aims to address the critical minerals trade dispute and other ongoing trade issues between the two nations. The discussions are expected to focus on resolving the tensions that have arisen due to the withholding of essential products by China, which has impacted global industrial supply chains. The outcome of this summit could have significant implications for international trade relations and the global economy. reuters.com