TRUMP TO MEET XI SOON; FUTURE OF ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE UNDER QUESTIONS

This week, reports indicate that US President Donald Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in South Korea.

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Trump's office has informed media that he will first travel to Malaysia and will also make stops in Japan and South Korea. In South Korea, he is expected to meet with Xi next Thursday following his address at the APEC Summit.

In this meeting, Trump is expected to discuss few critical issues with Xi, as he has recently suggested lowering tariffs on Chinese exports to the US. However, he has stressed that Beijing must lift restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals to the US. These minerals are crucial for the manufacturing of high-tech products, including electric vehicles for the US, and currently, China has restricted the exports of these essential minerals to the US. Rare-earth stocks continue to be a major focus for investors as the market assesses the potential outcomes of the meeting between the leaders of the two largest economies in the world. Trump has also indicated that China should resume its purchases of US soybeans and restrict the supply of ingredients used in the production of Fentanyl, which is a significant concern for the US.

A recent dispute has emerged between the US and China, with China restricting its supply of essential minerals to the US, while Trump has declared a 100% tariff on Chinese goods. On Thursday this week, Trump also adopted a firm position regarding China’s purported involvement in the smuggling of Fentanyl into the US through Venezuela. He has charged China with utilizing Venezuela as a transit hub for Fentanyl, thereby circumventing the port controls of both the US and Mexico.