In the US-China talks, which three goals has Trump set, and how did China respond?

After some games, Sino-US economic and trade relations once again ushered in a turning point. On October 18, under the background that the United States successively introduced 20 policies to contain China and China took heavy countermeasures, the leaders of the Sino-US economic and trade talks held a video call. The biggest achievement of this call is that the two sides decided to continue talking, and the time is agreed to be next week.

Next, whether the Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations can stop the decline and stability, the next meeting is very crucial.

The first goal: Negotiate with China on the rare earth issue. After China controlled rare earths in April, the United States had not yet regained its composure. In October, China struck again. Moreover, this control can be called "the strictest in history". It not only involves raw materials, technology and equipment, but also "overseas jurisdiction." Even if the United States wants to exploit loopholes, it will be difficult for it to exploit.

The first reaction of the Trump administration was a surprise after he learned that China increased its controls on rare lands, and he also outraged Lutnik at the cabinet meeting because, in the view of the US, China's increased controls on rare lands were a response to U.S. penetrating sanctions on thousands of Chinese enterprises.

There are U.S. media analysts that Bessent, Grill and Lutnik both wanted to win in front of Trump, so on the eve of the talks, deliberately made some codes to make Trump more tough on the negotiating table. But Lutnik obviously underestimated the consequences of doing so, and the Chinese determination to defend their own interests. It is worth noting that this time the U.S. representatives with the Chinese video call, no Lutnik's name, and in the previous Sino-U.S. economic and trade talks, Lutnik was involved.

At present, the power of rare earth cards has been shown, but the U.S. side wants China to withdraw is already unrealistic, even if the U.S. side withdraws the penetrating sanctions, the Chinese side may only continue in the civil field, in accordance with relevant regulations to the U.S. side, so we urge the U.S. side not to have unrealistic fantasies.

The second goal: the Fentanyin issue. Since Trump came to power, he has been writing on the Naftanyin issue and has imposed tariffs on China twice in a row. In the previous round of talks, Fentanyin was not in the main topic of negotiations, and the relevant tariffs have not been frozen. Of course, the counter-tariff section of China is also in effect.

In fact, on the issue of fentanyl, China and the United States can completely solve it through dialogue and communication, provided that the United States should be reasonable, instead of throwing the blame on China. During the Biden era, China and the United States achieved good cooperation on the fentanyl issue. If Trump wants to solve the problem, he should also adopt a pragmatic attitude instead of unilateral and unreasonable pressure. If you can't do this, it won't make much sense even if you talk about it.

Third goal: soybeans. American soybeans are the basic plates of Trump, but the Chinese side seems to have ironed the heart to no longer purchase, related orders have long been cleared. The market share occupied by the United States in the past, is gradually being eaten by South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil and so on. Furthermore, the Trump administration is concerned that if the US does not negotiate, the US soybeans next year should be planned. To know, in the export part, the Chinese market is the head.

China also responded in advance to the three negotiation objectives listed by Trump. At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 20th, spokesman Guo Jiakun said that China's position is consistent, and there will be no winner in tariff wars and trade wars, which is not in the interests of either party. Both sides should resolve any problems through consultation on the basis of equality, respect and reciprocity.

In this response, China emphasized talks without mentioning fighting, which can be regarded as creating a good atmosphere for the next talks and giving the US an opportunity. Whether you can catch it or not depends on the actual actions of the Trump administration next.