Archive · 21 Sep 2026
US China Talks Focus on Rare Earths Before Summit
The United States and China are starting new talks before a meeting between Trump and Xi.
The talks will cover trade and artificial intelligence.
They will also discuss rare earths and other critical minerals.
These materials are important for many American manufacturers.
US officials want continued access to rare earth magnets.
The discussions follow progress from earlier negotiations.
The report does not say what agreements were reached in this round.
It also does not describe China’s specific position on the issues.
The US Treasury Secretary and Chinese Vice Premier began talks ahead of a planned Trump-Xi summit.
US officials are expected to press for continued access to rare earth magnets and critical minerals.
American manufacturers depend heavily on those materials, according to the report.
The discussions are expected to include artificial intelligence, trade, rare earths and related topics.
The talks build on progress made during earlier negotiations between the two countries.
- Who
- The US Treasury Secretary and Chinese Vice Premier, with US and Chinese officials participating.
- What
- They began talks covering trade, artificial intelligence, rare earths and critical minerals.
- When
- The talks began Sunday, ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.
- Why
- The discussions aim to build on progress from earlier negotiations and address US access to materials used by American manufacturers.
- Participants
- The US Treasury Secretary and Chinese Vice Premier
- Timing
- Sunday, before the Trump-Xi summit
- Main topics
- Artificial intelligence, trade, rare earths and related issues
- Materials in focus
- Rare earth magnets and critical minerals
- US manufacturing
- American manufacturers depend heavily on the materials
- Negotiating context
- The talks build on progress from earlier US-China negotiations