Trump Touts ‘Done’ Deal with Beijing on Rare Earths, Chinese Students

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-US trade, in London, Monday, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-US trade, in London, Monday, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua via AP)
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Trump Touts ‘Done’ Deal with Beijing on Rare Earths, Chinese Students

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-US trade, in London, Monday, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-US trade, in London, Monday, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua via AP)

US President Donald Trump touted ties with China as "excellent" on Wednesday, saying the superpowers reached a deal after two days of talks aimed at preserving a truce in their damaging trade war.  

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that China would supply rare earth minerals and magnets -- vital elements for American industries -- while Washington would allow Chinese students to remain in US universities.  

His post came after top United States and Chinese negotiators announced a "framework" agreement late Tuesday following two days of marathon talks in London. 

"Our deal with China is done," Trump wrote, adding that the agreement was still "subject to final approval with President Xi (Jinping) and me." 

"President XI and I are going to work closely together to open up China to American Trade," he said in a second post. "This would be a great WIN for both countries!!!"  

US stock markets showed little enthusiasm despite Trump's statements, but major indexes edged higher in early trading.  

- 'Candid' talks -  

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that it was possible to rebalance economic relations with China if Beijing proved a "reliable partner in trade negotiations."  

"If China will course-correct by upholding its end of the initial trade agreement we outlined in Geneva, and I believe after our talks in London they will, then the rebalancing of the world's two largest economies is possible," Bessent told lawmakers at the House Ways and Means Committee.  

The two sides agreed to reduce their tit-for-tat, triple-digit tariffs during talks in Geneva last month, but cracks appeared in the detente after Trump accused China of violating the deal.  

Washington was concerned at slower supplies of rare earths after Beijing in early April began requiring domestic exporters to apply for a license -- widely seen as a response to US tariffs.  

Rare earths are used in everything from electric vehicles to hard drives, wind turbines and missiles.  

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in London on Tuesday that US measures imposed when rare earths "were not coming" would likely be relaxed once Beijing moved forward with more license approvals.  

On Truth Social, Trump said China will supply "full magnets, and any necessary rare earths" up front.  

Washington has infuriated Beijing by vowing to revoke the visas of Chinese students, a major source of revenue for US universities.  

On Wednesday, Trump said: "We will provide to China what was agreed to, including Chinese students using our colleges and universities."  

The US president also said that the United States applies 55 percent tariffs on Chinese goods -- a combination of his 30 percent additional levies this year and the rough average of pre-existing duties, a White House official said.  

He said Beijing charges 10 percent duties on US goods.  

The rates are the same as those that were previously agreed in the truce, which temporarily brought US tariffs down from 145 percent and those imposed by China from 125 percent.  

In a Chinese state media readout of the talks released Wednesday, Vice Premier He Lifeng, who headed Beijing's team in London, stressed the need for the two sides to strengthen cooperation in future dialogue.  

"As a next step, the two sides should... continuously enhance consensus, reduce misunderstandings and strengthen cooperation," He said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.  

Speaking to reporters in London, China International Trade Representative Li Chenggang earlier said: "Our communication has been very professional, rational, in-depth and candid." 



Saudi Arabia Signs New Port Contracts Worth Over $586 Million

Acting President of Mawani Mazen Al-Turki (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Acting President of Mawani Mazen Al-Turki (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Saudi Arabia Signs New Port Contracts Worth Over $586 Million

Acting President of Mawani Mazen Al-Turki (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Acting President of Mawani Mazen Al-Turki (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Ports (Mawani) has signed a series of new build-operate-transfer (BOT) contracts worth more than SAR 2.2 billion ($586.6 million) to develop multi-purpose cargo terminals at eight of the Kingdom’s ports.

Acting President of Mawani, Mazen Al-Turki, announced the deals during a signing ceremony held on Monday, describing the move as another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s continued infrastructure development under government leadership.

These 20-year contracts are part of a strategic public-private partnership, bringing together local and international investors to enhance operational capabilities and increase the handling capacity of Saudi ports. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which seeks to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub.

Al-Turki emphasized that these new agreements build upon previous privatization deals, including the development of container terminals at Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, with investments exceeding SAR 16 billion. The Authority has also signed agreements to develop 20 logistics zones across the country, backed by over SAR 10 billion in investments.

He added that the latest contracts reflect the significant transformation and strategic evolution of Saudi Arabia’s ports, contributing to improved international performance indicators and reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a key player in the global maritime industry.

Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of Mawani, Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, noted that the growing flow of private-sector investment demonstrates the attractiveness of Saudi ports and the logistics sector. He highlighted recent advancements in operational efficiency and maritime connectivity, supported by major global and national companies.

Al-Jasser affirmed that the Kingdom’s transport ecosystem will continue expanding its partnerships with the private sector across all regions and domains, with the new contracts marking the continuation of strategic collaborations with leading global and local port operators.

Under the newly signed contracts, the Saudi Global Ports Company will develop, manage, and operate multi-purpose terminals at east coast ports, including King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, Jubail Commercial Port, King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail, and Ras Al Khair Port.

Meanwhile, Red Sea Gateway Terminal will handle similar operations on the west coast, covering Jeddah Islamic Port, Yanbu Commercial Port, King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu, and Jazan Port.

At King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu, the agreements include modernizing cargo handling with state-of-the-art STS and RTG cranes, reach stackers, trucks, and trailers, aimed at reducing truck turnaround times, vessel berthing durations, and boosting overall efficiency.