Economic officials from both countries are working to ensure a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping after the U.S. threatened new tariffs on Chinese goods in retaliation for China's expanded rare-earth export restrictions.

US and Chinese officials kicked off a new round of talks aimed at defusing a standoff between the world’s two largest economies before an upcoming leaders’ summit.

The US position has been ‘tough’, whereas China has been ‘firm’ in defending its own interests and rights, says Chinese negotiator Li Chenggang.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is set to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer from Friday, as the world's two largest economies try to ease an unexpected flare-up in tension ahead of a key leaders' summit.

IEA indicates that Malaysia is critical for future rare earth refining and ASEAN and Austrlia have critical mining, reserves and refining of rare earths.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China have signed an upgraded free trade deal at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia. The pact is expected to focus on the digital, green economy and other new sectors.

Malaysia will maintain a ban on the export of raw rare earths to protect its domestic resources, despite signing a critical minerals deal with the United States this week, the trade minister said on Wednesday.