On October 18, high-level economic and trade officials from China and the United States re-contacted via video link.
On October 9, China announced the implementation of restrictions on some rare-earth exports, the key resource of rare-earth makes the United States tense, but at the same time rare-earth is also a key step for China to stabilize the pace and grasp the initiative.
Although this communication appears to be a "restart of consultations", it is actually an in-depth test by the United States around its core interests. China has sent a signal of cooperation, but cooperation is not a one-way transfer of profits. Sincerity must come from both sides.
Rare earths have moved, and the United States is anxious
On October 9th, China issued export control regulations on rare earths, explicitly including rare earth elements and related processing technologies in the scope of restrictions.
As soon as this new regulation came out, the United States was very nervous about its industrial chain layout in many fields such as high-end manufacturing, new energy, and military industry.
The reaction of the United States is not surprising. From top government officials to enterprises, the outside world can clearly feel a sense of anxiety. For a long time, although the United States has rare earth resources, it relies heavily on China for processing.
Now that China tightens supply, the US side suddenly feels "great pressure". This is not a simple problem of supply and demand, but the instability of the entire system is instantly exposed.
China has previously held a restraint on the rare earth issue, but the United States continues to put pressure on technology, trade, geography, etc., and China has also started to consider more proactive ways to respond.
The rare earth was originally a bond of cooperation, but in the context of repeated pressure by the United States, China can only turn this card on the table, and the current situation is already related to industrial security, national strategy and other multiple considerations.
The United States seems to be seeking cooperation, but the shadow of "competition" and "checks and balances" is always indispensable in the discourse system.
China's rare-earth control is not only a realistic response, but also a strategic signal: cooperation is not a unilateral compromise and can not always let China pay for the atmosphere of dialogue.
Trump wants chips, and China gives him a way
Trump's recent statement on China policy is significantly more "relaxed" than in the past. He began to talk about the impact of high tax policies on the U.S. domestic economy and also mentioned the need to reassess trade relations with China.
Under the surface, it is his balance of internal and external situations.
In fact, this shift was not sudden; long before, the Trump side had expressed its desire to re-contact the Chinese side through different channels.
At the time, he expressed the hope of "visiting China", but then turned to "waiting for the invitation from the Chinese side", revealing a subtle psychology between words that both wanted to approach and did not want to lower the head first.
This call, in fact, can be seen as the Chinese side has "taken over" the U.S. test, but also set the framework for dialogue in its own way.
China did not give in, but demonstrated its willingness to communicate by restarting consultations. This handling method not only retains China's initiative, but also does not close the door to negotiations.
Moreover, China has also emphasized its basic position on many occasions before. Cooperation is okay, but it must be based on mutual respect.
Especially on issues such as Taiwan and scientific and technological blockade, China has clearly drawn a red line and its attitude remains as firm as ever.
In previous contacts, differences on the Taiwan Province issue have always been sensitive points in Sino-US relations. China is unequivocal about any provocation involving national sovereignty and core interests, and this is precisely the key to whether the two countries can continue in-depth dialogue.
The Trump team is clearly aware that in the current context of accelerated international changes, it is difficult to get domestic economic support without substantial cooperation.
He hopes to gain more room for himself to operate through the easing of Sino-US relations. However, if the US strategy is still to "talk while pressing", then China will not cooperate without a bottom line.
The cooperation window is opened.
Although it can be seen from the rhythm and arrangement of this call, China has given a certain space for cooperation.
Not only did there be no refusal to continue the negotiations, but the reset mechanism was also opened in some specific areas. This means that China has put the communication path ahead of the U.S. side. The next thing to see is whether the U.S. is willing to take this dialogue as a matter, rather than another diplomatic performance of "going through".
In the final analysis, China's demands are not complicated. They hope that both sides can reach a consensus on basic principles.
For example, economic and trade cooperation cannot always be politicized. Especially in fields such as rare earths and semiconductors that affect the whole body, we cannot rely on China's supplies while trying to exclude China from the global industrial landscape.
China does not use rare earths as a tool to threaten, but a national strategic resource. If the United States is really sincere, then cooperation is possible. However, if this dialogue is used as a delay, then China is well prepared to deal with future changes.
After all, China not only has rare earths, but also has a complete industrial chain, a huge market and ever-improving scientific and technological capabilities.
As for the U.S., if Trump really wants to make a breakthrough in relations with China, he must take practical action, not verbal promises.
For example, adjustments in technical restrictions, customs policies, fewer geo-provocations, more substantive cooperation, otherwise, even if some relief is achieved in the short term, it will be difficult to build a stable bilateral relationship in the long run.
At the moment, Trump is also facing no small pressure at home. Whether the issue of inflation or corporate dissatisfaction with external pressure, he has to find a way in foreign policy.
He hopes to win more support by improving Sino-US relations, but at the same time he doesn't want to be seen as weak. This requires him to make a real shift in strategy, rather than continue to play "old tricks".
Trump can no longer hold on to ‘surface articles’
The contradiction between China and the United States did not form overnight. Although this video call released some positive signals, it also revealed that the gap between the two sides in their fundamental positions still exists.
These gaps are precisely the key to whether cooperation can be steadily advanced in the future.
The door to China’s cooperation has never been closed, but the dialogue is not a unilateral demonstration, but requires mutual communication.If the US always wants to make compromises through pressure, it will only make negotiations futile.
After the call, U.S. Treasury Secretary Basent said that he would contact China in Malaysia, with the obvious intention of paving the way for subsequent higher-level meetings.
However, if such operations are not accompanied by actual policy changes, they will ultimately only remain at the "posture" level. China has made it clear that the prerequisite for cooperation is sincerity rather than strategic operation.
Now, the window period is open, but it will not be extended indefinitely. China has given opportunities and steps, but whether to go on or not depends on the US.
It is understandable that Trump hopes to win more political capital for himself through the easing of Sino-US relations. But this road cannot rely on the old routine of continuing to exert pressure while talking about cooperation.
Whether the future China-U.S. relations can really ease depends on whether the U.S. side is willing to adjust from the strategic level.China has already given clear enough signals on the rare earth issue, the next step is to see whether the U.S. side is willing to accept.
If the US continues to intensify the confrontation, it will only force China to further tighten its exports of strategic resources, which will not only be a trade-level conflict, but more likely to create a new round of uncertainty at the global level.
Collaboration is about attitude, not route.
China has already shown its position and has also given a path.Now it is time for the US to take action.
If the U.S. can abandon the confrontational thinking and truly return to the path of dialogue and cooperation, there is no chance for easing between the U.S. and China, but if the U.S. is still like in the past, talking about cooperation and blocking hands, then the ultimate loss will be only ourselves.
Cooperation cannot be pushed only by the Chinese side, the US side must also show real sincerity.This time, China has given what Trump wants, and the next move depends on how the United States takes it.
The reference information:
Ho Chi Minh held a video call with U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent and Trade Representative Greer — Global Network 2025-10-18 10:10