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Tension between America and China This increased further in the weeks ahead of a possible meeting between US President donald trump and Chinese President Xi JinpingIn response to recent US sanctions, China is planning to expand permitting requirements on rare earth products. Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods. Such is the game being played between the world’s two largest economies, with both sides seeking an edge in highly monitored trade talks.
Here’s how it unfolded over the past month.
19 September:
Trump and Xi spoke by phone, and Trump announced plans for the leaders to meet in South Korea in late October. Trump posted on Truth Social: “I just completed a very productive call with President Xi Jinping of China. The call was great.” China says there was a “frank and in-depth exchange of views” between the two leaders.
September 29:
The US Commerce Department issues a new rule to broadly increase export restrictions on not only blacklisted foreign companies but also their affiliates, defined as those with at least a 50% stake owned by blacklisted entities. Jeffrey Kessler, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, says the rule will “close loopholes and ensure that export controls work as intended.” China immediately protested, calling it another “typical case” of the US overreaching national security and abusing export controls. The Chinese Commerce Ministry says the act is “extremely bad” and “will seriously harm the legitimate interests of companies.”
1 October
China has not yet purchased any American soybeans from American farmers. Trump accused Beijing of leveraging its soybean purchasing power to negotiate and declared soybeans “a major topic of discussion” when he met Xi. China says the trade hindrance is due to America’s unilateral restrictive measures.
3 October
US Customs and Border Protection has issued a document on port charges to be imposed on ships bound for China, which will take effect October 14. United States of America China says it is necessary to help rebuild US shipbuilding capacity, but China calls it one-sided and discriminatory.
8th October
The US Commerce Department has blacklisted several Chinese companies for supplying drone parts to Iran.
9 October
Beijing announced new, more restrictive rules to limit exports of rare earth materials. China says it takes the steps to better protect national security and interests and better fulfill its non-proliferation duties, noting that the elements can be used for both civilian and military purposes. The US Treasury Department has banned China-based refineries from buying Iranian oil. The US Transportation Department has proposed blocking Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on US routes.
10 October
Trump threatened to impose new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and additional technology export limits. Trump condemned China’s actions in a post, calling it “an appalling and hostile move” and writing that he “sees no reason” to meet with Xi in late October. “Some very strange things are happening in China! They are becoming very hostile,” Trump writes. China announces retaliatory port tariffs effective October 14; China started investigation of American semiconductor company Qualcomm.
12 October
Trump softened his rhetoric, writing: “Don’t worry about China.” On the same day, China says it is willing to strengthen “communication and exchange” with other countries on export controls to ensure the safety and stability of the global supply chain.
14 October:
Trump says his administration may stop buying cooking oil from China as “retaliation” for Beijing’s boycott of US soybeans. In one post, Trump says he believes “China intentionally not buying our soybeans, and creating hardship for our soybean farmers, is an economically hostile act.” China’s commerce ministry says it is banning transactions by Chinese companies with five subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean. China confirms working-level discussions, but also warns the US not to impose new restrictive measures when negotiating with China.
15 October
Chinese air carriers file complaint over US order banning them from flying over Russia when traveling to the US
17 October
US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant And his Chinese counterpart, Vice Prime Minister He Lifeng, speaks in a video call. Besant had earlier said she would meet Chinese officials in Malaysia next week to prepare for the leaders’ meeting. China says the two sides had “candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges” and agreed to hold a new round of trade talks as soon as possible.
20 October
Trump says the US enjoys “great respect” from Beijing and that he will reach a “great deal” with Xi when the two leaders meet soon. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded: “Let me emphasize that the diplomacy of heads of state plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China-US relations.” He doesn’t give much details.