Trump Seeks Comprehensive Trade Deal with China Amid Expert Caution at Asia-Pacific Summit

President Donald Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, aiming to finalize a comprehensive trade agreement during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. While negotiators are close to agreements on tariffs, technology, rare earth minerals, soybeans, and potentially fentanyl and TikTok, experts caution that any deal may be limited without a long-term strategic framework due to China's history of broken promises. The U.S. seeks to address issues like China's excess industrial capacity and its dominance in rare earth mineral exports, which are crucial for high-tech manufacturing and where the U.S. heavily depends on China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the postponement of a planned 100% tariff on Chinese goods, initially imposed in response to China's export controls on rare earth minerals. Analysts emphasize that a bad deal could do more harm than good, underscoring the need for American resolve and a clear strategy beyond transactional negotiations. Ultimately, the U.S.-China relationship remains complex and requires sustained efforts to manage economic and geopolitical tensions effectively.