US-China Relations: Trump, Xi Meet Amidst Rising Global Tensions

A crucial summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping unfolded in South Korea today, signifying their first direct engagement in six years and the first since President Trump began his second term. This high-profile meeting occurs at a pivotal juncture, as Washington and Beijing grapple with intensifying disagreements concerning trade, technology, and the acquisition of essential minerals. Discussions are anticipated to span a wide array of subjects, with a specific focus on rare earth elements, a domain critical to the strategic and economic futures of both nations. The meeting is perceived as a vital stride in managing the increasingly intricate dynamics between the globe’s two largest economies, currently locked in an extended rivalry over trade and technological dominance.