White House says US reaches ‘understanding’ with China on rare earth shipments

The United States and China reached a “framework” agreement aimed at implementing a deal based on trade talks that started in Geneva, Switzerland last month, the White House said.

The clarification came shortly after US President Donald Trump said that the US had signed a trade agreement with Beijing a day earlier, offering no further details.

“Everybody, everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it, right? I know [US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer] and [Commerce Secretary] Howard [Lutnick] and [Treasury Secretary] Scott [Bessent] are working overtime, making deals with other countries,” he said. “You remember a few months ago, the press was saying, Do you really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday, right?”

“We are starting to open up China, things that could have never happened,” he added.

Trump made the comment during remarks at a White House event aimed at promoting a government spending bill that he wants lawmakers to pass by July 4, America’s Independence Day.

Asked about comments, a White House official said: “The Administration and China agreed to an additional understanding for a framework to implement the Geneva agreement.”