US-China Trade Friction Over Rare Earths Threatens to Stall Busan Agreement Extension Ahead of Xi-Trump Summit

The US and China continue to wrangle over extending the 2025 Busan trade agreement just hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Washington for a state visit. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer blamed China for creating 'uncertainty' over the pact’s extension, stating Beijing was still holding out on supplying enough strategic mineral exports to the United States. The dispute centers on rare earths, critical for high-tech industries, with the US accusing China of limiting exports to pressure the US into concessions. The original article from the South China Morning Post (SCMP) highlights the immediate diplomatic tension and the strategic importance of rare earths. The Star, published the following day, reports the same headline but with no additional details, suggesting a lack of further developments or clarification. No divergence in the core facts is noted between the two sources, though the Star’s limited coverage may indicate a less detailed analysis or a focus on other aspects of the event.