Trump outlines key demands for China

The US leader has named rare earths and Taiwan as outstanding issues ahead of renewed trade negotiations

US President Donald Trump has outlined a list of key demands ahead of renewed trade talks with China, as he prepares to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, later this month and plans a 2026 visit to Beijing.

Speaking at the White House alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday, Trump said he had received an invitation from Beijing and intends to travel there “fairly early next year.” He added that he expects to hold talks with Xi at the APEC summit in South Korea to reach what he called a “fair” trade deal.

Among the issues Trump raised were China’s rare earth export controls, the flow of fentanyl, stalled soybean purchases, and Taiwan.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated after China tightened export controls on rare earths earlier this month. In response, Trump threatened to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting in November. On Monday, he and Albanese unveiled an agreement to expand US access to critical minerals as part of Washington’s effort to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.

“I think when we finish our meetings in South Korea, China and I will have a really fair and really great trade deal together,” Trump said.

He voiced hope that China would resume purchases of American soybeans after imports by Beijing – the world’s largest buyer – plunged amid the tariff standoff. Trump also urged China “to stop with the fentanyl,” accusing the Chinese authorities of failing to curb exports of the synthetic opioid and its chemical precursors, which he blamed for making the US opioid crisis worse.

Turning to Taiwan, Trump downplayed the risk of conflict, saying, “I think we’ll be just fine… China doesn’t want to do that.”

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US-Taiwan cooperation is a major point of contention for China, which routinely holds military exercises near the island. Taiwan has long bought US weapons to deter the Chinese military, with media reports suggesting Washington plans to approve larger arms sales than during Trump’s first term.

China considers Taiwan part of its sovereign territory. Xi has called reunification “inevitable,” saying the use of force is not ruled out.