On October 10, President Donald Trump unveiled plans for a 100% tariff on Chinese imports and new export controls on software. But just weeks later, talks between top US and Chinese officials shifted the narrative again, offering a glimpse of a potential deal that could avert deeper conflict—at least for now.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on October 26 that negotiators had forged a trade framework that could forestall the 100% tariff increase. The framework could also delay China’s rare earths export restrictions for a year while it reconsiders its policy. The talks occurred against the backdrop of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, an event at which Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were scheduled to meet at press time.
Vina Nadjibulla, vice president for research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, pointed out that the US…
