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The United States and China finalized their June framework trade agreement under which China has pledged to resume rare earth exports to the United States in exchange for rollbacks of certain U.S. trade restrictions on non-sensitive goods, like ethane and air components, Bloomberg reported on June 27. 

China, U.S.: Washington, Beijing Finalize Rare Earth Trade Truce

U.S.-China Relations

China added two fentanyl precursor chemicals to its Class Two list, enabling stricter supervision of their export starting July 20 in what Chinese officials deemed "a contribution to global drug control," Bloomberg reported on June 23.

China, U.S.: Beijing Bans Two Fentanyl Precursors as Rare Earth Exports Dropped 80% in May

U.S.-China trade talks in London will continue into a second day, following six hours of talks on June 8 that U.S. officials described as "good" and "fruitful," Bloomberg reported on June 9.

U.S., China: Negotiators Extend London Trade Talks Amid Export Control Discussions

The U.S. and Chinese trade teams will meet in London on June 9 to discuss trade issues, according to a June 6 post by U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social. 

U.S., China: Trade Teams to Meet in London Following Xi-Trump Call

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call on June 5 at Trump's request, Chinese state media Xinhua reported the same day. 

U.S., China: Xi, Trump Phone Call Suggests Rare Earths Talks Inbound

The president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China said China was approving only a few rare earth export licenses, "far from being sufficient to prevent imminent production halts," The New York Times reported on June 2.

U.S., China: Rare Earth Export Curbs Start To Bite, Beijing Refutes U.S. Accusations

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social on May 30 that China "perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY," in reference to the United States' May 12 deal with China to reduce tariffs.

U.S., China: Trump Cries Foul on Trade as Both Sides Maintain Retaliatory Power

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio late on May 28 announced a campaign to "aggressively" revoke visas for Chinese university students with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or working in "critical fields," a category he did not define, The New York Times reported on May 29.

U.S., China: Rubio Pledges To 'Aggressively' Revoke Chinese Student Visas

Snapshots

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near the Indian city of Dharamshala, on June 30, 2025. 

Military & Security

Social Issues

New clarity over the 90-year-old spiritual leader's succession plans threatens to reignite Western criticism of China's treatment of Tibetans and revive reputational risks for Western businesses active in China.

Dalai Lama's Succession Plan Revives Tibet Issue for China and the West

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Israel-Hamas Conflict

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Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2025 Third-Quarter Forecast.

2025 Third-Quarter Forecast Webcast

U.S.-Iran Relations

Cargo shipping containers are seen stacked at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California, on April 15, 2025. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Global Trade

Regardless of any short-term concessions, the U.S. will likely eventually expand the scope of its technology restrictions against China, likely prompting Beijing to retaliate by once again restricting exports of rare earths or other critical raw materials.

U.S.-China Framework To Implement Trade Deal Will Only Temporarily Ease Tensions

Assessments

A stock image showing industrial magnet parts.

China will likely continue to wield export restrictions on rare earth elements and related magnets in response to future U.S. restrictions, sustaining a high risk of supply chain disruptions, particularly for automakers.

In Trade War With U.S., China Finds a Pressure Point With Magnet Restrictions

Kenya

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Palestinian Territories

Poland

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: A U.S. Tariff Ruling, Israel's Opposition Seeks To Dissolve the Knesset

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Singapore

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France

French President Emmanuel Macron holds a press briefing during his trip to Singapore on May 30, 2025. 

Energy

The deals reached with Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam expand France's role in Southeast Asia amid shifting global trade and defense dynamics, a welcome development for a region increasingly pinned between the U.S. and China.

Macron's Southeast Asia Tour Deepens French Footprint in the Region

Columns

On Geopolitics

A digital illustration of a Chinese flag.

The apparent ineffectiveness of consumer subsidies in raising retail sales, paired with the government's continued resistance to stimulus, suggests that China's post-COVID consumer activity will remain depressed for the foreseeable future.

Gauging the Success of China's Consumer Subsidies Program, One Year Later

Visitors walk down the inclined shaft at Steenkampskraal rare-earth mine on July 29, 2019, about 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) from Vanrhynsdorp, a town in Western Cape province, South Africa.

U.S.-China trade tensions are increasing the risk of supply chain disruptions for critical raw materials, but companies can take steps to mitigate this danger.

Corporate America Comes to Grips With Supply Chain Risks to Critical Raw Materials

Containers are seen at China's Lianyungang port in eastern Jiangsu province on May 1, 2025. 

Although the U.S.-China trade deal will bring short-term economic relief, negotiations over a broader agreement will remain fraught, particularly since the rapid reduction of U.S. tariffs will embolden China to implement strong retaliation when talks falter.

Despite Tariff Reprieve, a Broader U.S.-China Deal Will Remain Elusive

A digital illustration of the Chinese and EU flags.

Transatlantic trade tensions have created a window for tactical EU-China engagement, but structural constraints and unresolved disputes limit prospects for meaningful realignment.

Budding EU-China Rapprochement Amid U.S. Tariffs Will Have Its Limits

Germany

United Kingdom

Ukraine

A list of countries facing reciprocal tariffs on display April 2 at the White House.

The Weekly Rundown: The Escalating Global Trade War, South Africa's Coalition Government on the Brink

Cranes unload shipping containers from a ship at a port in Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong province, on April 2, 2025. 

The timing and scope of Beijing's retaliatory measures signal a significant escalation of its trade war with Washington, which may nonetheless increase the long-term chance of a trade deal.

U.S.-China Relations

SITUATION REPORTS

China, U.S.: Washington, Beijing Finalize Rare Earth Trade Truce

China, U.S.: Beijing Bans Two Fentanyl Precursors as Rare Earth Exports Dropped 80% in May

U.S., China: Negotiators Extend London Trade Talks Amid Export Control Discussions

U.S., China: Trade Teams to Meet in London Following Xi-Trump Call

U.S., China: Xi, Trump Phone Call Suggests Rare Earths Talks Inbound

U.S., China: Rare Earth Export Curbs Start To Bite, Beijing Refutes U.S. Accusations

U.S., China: Trump Cries Foul on Trade as Both Sides Maintain Retaliatory Power

U.S., China: Rubio Pledges To 'Aggressively' Revoke Chinese Student Visas

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