【By Observer Net, Xiong Chaoran】On the evening of October 24 local time, US President Trump has embarked on a visit to three Asian countries. At the same time, China-US trade negotiations began in Malaysia. At this moment, the Trump administration, which is addicted to "extreme pressure," once again resorted to this tactic against China.
According to Bloomberg, citing senior US officials on October 24 local time, Trump will seek to sign economic agreements and key mineral agreements with trade partners during his Asia trip. The report believes that Trump's plan to sign mineral agreements in Asia indicates that the US is increasing pressure on China.
From the report, these officials who spoke to reporters claimed that Trump will seek agreements that help release resources in the region (Asia), thereby creating more reliable supply chains for various industries, promoting global economic growth, and ensuring more US investment. However, these officials who leaked information did not reveal the specific content of the agreements that Trump sought.
Ironically, while Trump tries to pressure China, he also "needs the help of China."
According to TASS on October 25 local time, after boarding Air Force One, Trump told accompanying reporters that he wanted to discuss the Ukraine conflict with China, "I hope to see China help us."
"We have imposed very strict sanctions on Russia. I think these sanctions are very severe and strong. But I hope to see China help us."
On October 24, Gao Jia Kun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, answered questions about the Ukraine crisis, stating that China has always decided its position based on the right or wrong of the matter itself, and has been committed to stopping the war, urging peace and dialogue. The efforts made by China have been seen by the international community. We will continue to firmly stand on the side of dialogue and peace, playing a constructive role in easing the situation and promoting the political resolution of the crisis.
Local time October 24, 2025, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, USA, President Trump boarded "Air Force One" to prepare for his trip to Asia. Visual China
Bloomberg pointed out that rare earth minerals are crucial for multiple key areas such as technology, defense, and energy, and their supply and circulation will be the core topic of this discussion.
In the new round of trade confrontation between the US and China, facing the US continuously increasing export controls and restrictions against China, in order to safeguard national security interests, China immediately took countermeasures and introduced a series of new regulations on rare earths on October 9.
Afterward, frustrated, Trump once said he would continue to use high tariffs to extort China, but a few days later, he lowered his tone. On October 17 local time, Trump told Fox Business News that he previously boasted about restarting high tariffs against China was "not sustainable" (not sustainable).
Reuters reported that in recent days, Trump expressed optimism about reaching a trade agreement with China. On the evening of October 23 local time, he said, "I think we will achieve good results, and everyone will be very happy."
Bloomberg noted that after being "hit" by China's new rare earth regulations, Trump has been trying to ensure alternative sources for key mineral mining and processing. On October 20 local time, Trump met with Australian Prime Minister Albanese at the White House and signed an $8.5 billion key mineral agreement.
However, international industry experts generally believe that although Australia has large reserves of rare earths, its production infrastructure is still underdeveloped, making processing relatively expensive. Some scholars said that it would take 10 to 20 years for the US to establish a safe and independent supply chain.
According to data from the International Energy Agency, in 2023, China accounted for over 60% of global rare earth production, but its control over the processing stage accounted for 92% of global production, almost having a monopolistic control over the global rare earth processing sector. The US Geological Survey also stated that between 2020 and 2023, 70% of the rare earth compounds and metals imported by the US came from China.
According to reports, in addition to the rare earth issue, Trump also tried to persuade China to resume purchasing US soybeans. And before Trump set off on his Asia trip, he still continued to hype up the so-called fentanyl issue, claiming that he had placed this issue at the top of the list of issues with China, "The first issue is fentanyl."
On the evening of October 23 local time, White House Press Secretary Levitt announced at a press conference that Trump would depart for Malaysia on the evening of October 24 local time, and would visit Japan and South Korea. Next Thursday (October 30), Trump will deliver a speech at the APEC Business Leaders' Summit.
During the visit to the three Asian countries, on October 26 local time, Trump will meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar and attend the ASEAN Summit leaders' working dinner; on October 27 local time, Trump will meet with Japanese new Prime Minister Takahashi Hayato; on October 29 local time, Trump will fly to South Korea and meet with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
On October 16, He Yongqian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, stated that the recent rare earth export control measures taken by China were a legitimate approach based on laws and regulations, aimed at improving its own export control system, preventing the illegal flow of rare earths to improper uses such as mass destruction weapons, and better safeguarding China's national security and global common security.
On October 23, the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce responded to questions regarding the China-US trade negotiations, stating that after consultation between China and the US, the members of the Central Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and the Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead a delegation to Malaysia to conduct trade negotiations with the US side from October 24 to 27. Both sides will discuss important issues in Sino-US trade relations according to the important consensus reached in the calls between the two heads of state this year.
On October 24, Gao Jia Kun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, presided over the regular press conference. A reporter asked whether the heads of state of China and the US would hold a meeting during the APEC meeting. Gao Jia Kun stated that China and the US have maintained close communication on the meeting between the heads of state, and if there is further information, the Chinese side will release it in a timely manner.
This article is an exclusive article from Observer Net. Without permission, it cannot be reprinted.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7565051335377207818/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author. Please express your attitude by clicking the [top / down] buttons below.