Beijing has gained time to build up its own strengths by drawing out negotiations with the United States, using its chokehold over critical minerals.

China on Thursday affirmed a trade deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying both sides needed to abide by the consensus and adding China always kept its word. The deal, reached after Trump and China's President Xi Jinping spoke on the telephone last week,

President Donald Trump says his first conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping since returning to the White House had a “very positive conclusion," announcing the two countries will hold trade talks in hopes of breaking an impasse over tariffs and global supplies of rare earth minerals.