US-China Trade Talks in London Expected Amid New Disputes

U.S.-China trade talks scheduled for June 9 in London face renewed tensions that threaten a fragile 90-day truce on tariffs agreed upon in Geneva last month. Key disputes center around U.S. export controls on Huawei's Ascend AI chips, which the U.S. Commerce Department warns may violate restrictions due to their use of American technology, prompting a strong rebuke from China. Additionally, China's recent export licensing requirements on rare earth minerals—critical to industries such as automotive and military manufacturing—have heightened concerns internationally. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have engaged in dialogue via phone to ease tensions, with Trump announcing the upcoming talks on social media. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will attend the London negotiations, signaling a possible willingness to address China's grievances on export controls. Meanwhile, disagreements over visas for Chinese students at American universities further complicate the economic relationship between the two nations.