اتفاق أمريكي-صيني لتأجيل قيود المعادن واستئناف شراء فول الصويا

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Pisent announced on Sunday that a preliminary agreement has been reached with China to postpone the restrictions imposed on rare earth metal exports and to resume purchases of U.S. soybeans; this contributes to avoiding a new trade escalation between the two countries.

Pisent explained that China agreed to delay the implementation of the restrictions for one year to reconsider them, and it also committed to making significant agricultural purchases from the United States, following talks he had with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Kuala Lumpur.

The agreement comes after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% increase on tariffs starting November 1, if Beijing proceeded with imposing restrictions on rare earth metal exports.

Agreement with Malaysia

U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signed a trade agreement that enhances U.S. access to rare earth metals at a time when China is tightening controls over them.

Beijing announced this month extensive restrictions on the rare earth metals sector, prompting Trump to threaten a 100% tariff on imports from China in response to the move.

Trump is visiting Kuala Lumpur as part of the ASEAN summit, ahead of an anticipated meeting next Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Sector Development

Under the new U.S.-Malaysia agreement, Kuala Lumpur commits to "refrain from banning or imposing quotas on the export of critical minerals to the United States," while Washington agreed to impose a 19% tariff on Malaysian goods.

Malaysia also pledged to accelerate the development of the rare earth metals sector in collaboration with American companies, including extending operating permits to enhance production capacities.