A spokesperson for the Chinese government stated that China will “always honor its commitments” regarding trade negotiations with the US.
However, when pressed by Sky News, he did not specify what those commitments entail.
This hesitation contrasts with President Trump, who announced on his Truth Social account on Wednesday that “our deal with China is done.” He also claimed that China has agreed to provide rare earth metals to the US “upfront” and to a 55% tariff on its goods.
These remarks follow critical talks between delegations from both nations in London, aimed at stabilizing their relationship amid a growing trade and supply chain conflict.
China’s unwillingness to confirm these details raises doubts that significant disagreements remain, contrary to US assertions.
This continued silence follows two days of negotiations held in the UK between US and Chinese delegations.
While both parties acknowledged that they reached a “framework” to implement the “consensus” from earlier discussions in Geneva last month, along with a phone conversation between President Xi and President Trump on June 5, the delegations were tasked with presenting the agreement to their leaders for final approval.
When asked by Sky News if Trump’s Truth Social claims reflect China’s understanding of the deal, Lin Jian, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, responded, “the two sides achieved new progress in addressing concerns on economic and trade issues.”
“We always honor our commitments. Since we’ve reached common understandings, both sides need to adhere to them.”
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When further asked by Sky News whether China agrees with Trump’s Truth Social assessment that US-China relations are “excellent,” Lin did not agree, stating, “Our position on relations with the United States has been consistent and clear.”
Such reserved statements are common in China, but there is likely significant discontent at Trump’s unilateral releases of details that may not have been formally agreed upon.
This approach stands in stark contrast to China’s highly controlled communication framework, and it could backfire if intended to coerce China into an agreement.
If all of Trump’s claims on Truth Social are accurate, it would demonstrate a substantial victory for the US, a notion that seems unlikely given China’s strong leverage, particularly in rare earth metals.
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May 2025: US and China reach agreement on tariffs
This is likely to have been a critical point in negotiations, as China possesses the majority of the world’s rare earth metals essential for producing everything from vehicles to military equipment. Recent export controls in response to Trump’s tariffs have nearly halted some production lines.
In retaliation, the Trump administration has instituted additional export controls on advanced chips, chip development technology, and parts necessary for jet engines, as well as moving to revoke student visas for Chinese citizens.
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President Trump noted in his Truth Social post that the measures to revoke visas would be reconsidered.
When asked by Sky News about whether Trump’s comments have harmed the overall relationship, Lin did not comment. However, the stakes remain incredibly high, as the ongoing supply chain war poses significant risks to both countries’ economies.