Marketplace All-in-One Is the U.S.-China trade war finally cooling off?
Oct 30, 2025
Surinjana Tawari, a BBC correspondent reporting from the APEC summit, dives into the recent talks between U.S. President Trump and China's President Xi Jinping, revealing nuances in their trade relations. She discusses tariff reductions, soybean purchases, and contrasting attitudes from both leaders about a potential deal. Meanwhile, John Lawrenson, a BBC reporter, sheds light on the challenges facing the Netherlands’ energy grid, tackling congestion due to rapid electrification and the integration of renewables like solar and wind. He emphasizes the future need for significant investment to modernize the grid.
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Talks Show Momentum, Not A Finished Deal
- The Busan meeting suggested momentum toward a U.S.-China trade truce despite no formal deal being signed.
- Both leaders signaled progress but Xi warned that creating a full trade deal will take years, not months.
Rare Earths Kept Flowing
- China agreed to keep rare earth exports flowing, easing fears about critical mineral supply disruption.
- The move matters because rare earths are central to electric vehicles, smartphones, and green technologies.
Soybean Purchases May Resume
- China agreed to resume U.S. soybean purchases, a relief for American farmers hit by lost sales.
- Resuming purchases could ease political pressure on President Trump from rural constituencies.