Buoyed by rare earths, China approaches Trump summit with fresh confidence

AI Summary

Ahead of Trump's visit, China is reportedly preparing to leverage its economic strength, particularly in rare earth elements, in its dealings with the United States. This signal of confidence reflects China's strategic approach in international trade relations.

Chinese officials have signalled privately a growing willingness to retaliate against the United States, buoyed by confidence in their economic leverage as US President Donald Trump prepares to visit Beijing this week. Sources told the South China Morning Post that officials in Beijing had grown bolder since playing its rare earths card in October and were now less worried about tariffs. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly, said...