LONDON — In a significant step towards reviving trade negotiations, senior negotiators from the United States and China have reportedly reached an agreement on a framework following two days of talks in London, which concluded late Tuesday. This development comes in the wake of several disputes threatening the stability of trade relations between the two nations.
Chinese state media announced that the discussions were primarily centered on addressing contentious issues related to mineral and technology exports. These topics have emerged as major sticking points in the delicate truce established during negotiations in Geneva last month. However, it remains uncertain whether any substantial progress was made regarding the deeper concerns over China’s large trade surplus with the U.S.
Recently, President Donald Trump engaged in a phone conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, aiming to ease tensions and set a cooperative tone for the negotiations. According to Li Chenggang, a vice minister of commerce in China and the country’s international trade representative, both sides have come to an agreement in principle on a framework to implement the consensus reached by the leaders at the Geneva talks.
Details about the framework and any potential plans for the next round of discussions have yet to be disclosed. During the talks in London, Li Chenggang, along with Wang Wentao, China’s commerce minister, participated in meetings under the leadership of Vice Premier He Lifeng. They engaged with key U.S. figures including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at Lancaster House, a historic venue located near Buckingham Palace.
Wendy Cutler, a former U.S. trade negotiator and now vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute, expressed concern that a significant amount of time has been wasted. According to her, 30 of the 90-day period originally agreed upon in Geneva to resolve ongoing disputes has already passed.
This 90-day suspension encompassed most of the tariffs exceeding 100% that were imposed by both countries during their escalating trade war, which has raised alarms about a potential recession. The World Bank recently revised its growth projections for both the U.S. and the global economy, citing an increase in trade barriers as a contributing factor.
Cutler emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The U.S. and China lost valuable time in restoring their Geneva agreements. Now, only sixty days remain to address issues of concern, including unfair trade practices, excess capacity, transshipment and fentanyl.”
Since the Geneva meetings, interactions between the U.S. and China have included a flurry of heated exchanges. Key topics of contention have involved advanced semiconductors critical for artificial intelligence, as well as regulations surrounding visas for Chinese students attending U.S. universities and rare earth minerals necessary for various industries, particularly automotive.
China, recognized as the largest global producer of rare earth elements, has indicated a possibility of easing export restrictions imposed earlier this year. This action comes in response to increasing apprehensions among automakers worldwide who rely heavily on these materials. Additionally, China is advocating for the U.S. to lift its restrictions on technology that impacts the advanced semiconductor sector.
Cutler pointed out that it would be a groundbreaking move for the U.S. to engage in negotiations concerning its export controls, a long-standing issue raised by China for nearly two decades. She warned that this could pave the way for China to insist on including export controls in future negotiation agendas.
Meanwhile, in Washington, a federal appeals court has granted the government permission to continue collecting tariffs that President Donald Trump imposed on China and other countries, while the current administration appeals against a ruling that challenged its trade policies. President Trump articulated his desire to ‘open up China’ to U.S. products, stating, “If we don’t open up China, maybe we won’t do anything, but we want to open up China.”
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/10/g-s1-72042/us-china-trade-framework-london-talks
