China has what Trump needs for AI race: Why Beijing’s rare earths may matter more than tariffs at Trump-Xi summit
China holds significant reserves of rare earths, crucial for AI technologies, which President Trump seeks to access amid trade tensions. Exports from China fell 13% year-on-year in August, complicating negotiations over the 2025 Busan trade agreement. As AI becomes central to global power dynamics, the outcome of the Trump-Xi summit on September 5 could reshape future trade relations.