China US Officials Plan Urgent Trade Talks Malaysia Amid Rare Earth Export Tensions

Senior Chinese and US officials are scheduled to hold urgent trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from October 24 to 27 to address escalating tensions in their economic relationship ahead of a leaders' summit in South Korea. Key figures include Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, focusing on issues such as China's expanded export restrictions on rare earth elements and the US's threatened tariffs on Chinese goods. These talks aim to de-escalate the trade conflict that reignited after China tightened rare earth export controls and the US responded by restricting Chinese firms' access to American technologies with further tariff threats. The discussions also seek to build on earlier progress made during President Donald Trump's September call with President Xi Jinping and a breakthrough TikTok deal reached at a previous summit. Additionally, US officials hope to secure China's resumption of soybean purchases and explore diplomatic cooperation regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The outcome of these talks is critical for stabilizing global trade and preventing further escalation as the November 1 deadline for additional US tariffs approaches.