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Some analysts say Beijing won a major victory in its trade talks: Getting the U.S. to withdraw a national security measure that previously was not under discussion.

The two leaders reached an agreement on fentanyl, some tariffs and rare earths, at least for a year. But even as the global trade picture cleared a little, Mr. Trump spurred new worries about nuclear proliferation.

By withholding soybean purchases and rare-earth exports, China extracted relief from U.S. tariffs and delayed export controls, without conceding much in return.

President Trump explained the order by saying other, unnamed nations were testing their own nuclear weapons, even though no country has tested since 2017.

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In the days leading up to the Trump-Xi meeting, American officials signalled that the US president did not intend to make good on a recent threat to impose an additional 100% import tax on Chinese goods.
Also that China had shown signs it is willing to relax its export controls on rare earths as well as revive buying soybeans from the US.
The relationship with China is very good.
Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.
Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.

Though the US president’s meeting with Xi Jinping appears to have staved off a global trade war, this is far from a win for Washington
The diverging verdicts offered by the Chinese and American leaders in South Korea on Thursday reflected more than the chasms between their personal styles and political cultures. Donald Trump gushed about an “amazing” meeting, scoring it 12 out of 10; Xi Jinping reportedly that a consensus had been reached, with the two sides needing to finalise follow-up steps rapidly.
Mr Trump’s usual trade approach – – faltered when Beijing raised its own bludgeon. No tribute of or were on offer from Mr Xi. The US president blinked first – but, predictably, attempted to repackage the underwhelming result as a great success.
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It’s ridiculous for the government to splurge on defence while it slashes spending on its most valuable asset: culture
The US has backed down in its tariff war with China. Thanks to Donald Trump’s , rare earths can again flow one way, soya beans the other, and less of the chemicals used to make fentanyl in between. No matter that the war was Trump’s own idea and seems to have been a stunt. The stunt is over. Trump has played his favourite game of dealmaker, much to the discomfort of millions.
Meanwhile Britain still cannot make up its mind if China is its enemy. In 2008 British officials visited the Beijing Olympics authorities to discuss the next games in London in 2012. The government told them to “raise” , about which the British government was most concerned. I am told the Chinese reacted with sympathy at the Britons’ embarrassment at broaching the matter, and then everyone got down to business. Soon China was a friend, certainly to David Cameron .
Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist
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The US president and his Chinese counterpart met face-to-face for the first time in six years.

President Donald Trump says he is returning home from Asia with commitments for trillions in new investment in the United States. Let’s hope he is leaving behind his plan to take in hundreds of ...

Outcome appears closer to truce than durable peace but outline of broader diplomatic relationship is visible

When Donald Trump launched his trade war against China in April, threatening tariffs as high as 145%, the Chinese government said it would never bow to blackmail and vowed to “fight to the end”.
The question now is whether the in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday means that the fight really has come to an end, and if so on whose terms.

Talks have helped to steady a rocky relationship between the world's top two economies - but the rivalry persists.

China has suspended export controls announced this month, but was conspicuously silent about rules imposed earlier, which are snarling global supply chains.