Rare Earths Dispute Threatens US-China Trade Deal Before Xi Summit

A dispute over rare earth minerals is threatening to block the extension of a key US-China trade agreement, just as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to visit Washington. The two countries are still negotiating whether to extend the 2025 Busan trade agreement. At the same time, they report progress on a smaller trade mechanism that reduces tariffs on certain goods. On Monday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer blamed China for creating "uncertainty" over the deal's extension. He said Beijing has not supplied enough strategic mineral exports to the United States. Rare earth minerals are a group of 17 elements used in many high-tech products, including smartphones, electric vehicles, and military equipment. China is the world's largest supplier of these materials. The Busan agreement, signed in 2025, was designed to ease trade tensions between the two economic powers. Its extension now hangs in the balance as both sides struggle to reach common ground. The timing is critical. Xi's state visit to Washington is approaching, and a failure to extend the agreement could overshadow the summit.