Trade Talks Are Back! US and China Meet in London

Intermediate | June 10, 2025

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US and China Resume Trade Talks in London

A Fresh Start for US China Trade Talks in London

Guess what? The United States and China are sitting down together again to talk about trade. They are meeting in London today, June 9, 2025. Top officials from both countries are there, hoping to fix some problems with how they trade with each other. These talks are happening to try and make the trade relationship calmer after some difficult times.

What Sparked the Meeting?

This meeting is a big deal because it follows a phone call last week between the presidents of the two countries, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Mr. Trump said it was a “very good talk” and that the meeting in London was happening because of it. When leaders talk directly, it can sometimes really help “move the needle” on tough issues like trade disagreements.

Key Topics in the US China Trade Talks

So, what exactly are they discussing in London? A few important things are on the table. One big topic is about special materials called “rare earths.” These are super important for making things like smartphones and electric cars, and China provides a lot of them. The US wants to make sure it can get these materials easily.

They are also talking about technology, like computer chips. The US has put some limits on selling certain advanced chips to China, and China is not happy about this. Both sides have been a little “at odds” since a temporary agreement they made last month in Geneva. That deal reduced some trade taxes, but they still disagree on other things.

The hope is that these discussions in London can help both countries find common ground and reduce the problems that their trade disagreements are causing for businesses and the global economy. Everyone is watching closely to see if they can make real progress this time.

Vocabulary

Resume (verb): To start something again after a pause.
Example: The class will resume after a short break.
Officials (noun): People who hold important positions in a government or organization.
Example: Government officials met to discuss the new law.
Tensions (noun): A situation where there is difficulty or disagreement between people, groups, or countries.
Example: The tensions between the neighbors made everyone uncomfortable.
Truce (noun): An agreement between enemies to stop fighting or arguing for a short time.
Example: They called a truce to discuss a solution.
Delegation (noun): A group of people chosen to represent others.
Example: A trade delegation traveled to another country.
Navigate (verb): To find a way through a difficult situation.
Example: Businesses need to navigate complex trade rules.
Rare earths (noun): A group of 17 chemical elements important for high-tech industries.
Example: Rare earths are used in making magnets for electronics.
Semiconductors (noun): Materials, like silicon, used to make electronic components such as computer chips.
Example: Modern computers rely on advanced semiconductors.
Tariffs (noun): Taxes on goods coming into or going out of a country.
Example: The country imposed tariffs on imported cars.
Fragile (adjective): Easily broken or damaged; not strong or stable.
Example: The peace agreement was still fragile.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Why are US and China officials meeting in London?
What happened before these talks started?
Besides rare earths, what other technology is being discussed?
How does this meeting relate to the previous talks in Geneva?
Why is it important for these two countries to have good trade relations?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

What are some products that the US and China trade with each other?
How do trade disagreements between big countries affect other parts of the world?
Do you think direct talks between leaders are helpful for solving problems? Why or why not?
What are some things countries can do to improve trade relationships?
How might technology affect trade talks in the future?

Related Idiom

“At odds”
Meaning: In conflict or disagreement.
Example: The two sides have been “at odds” over the trade rules for months.

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This article was inspired by: Yahoo Finance, June 9, 2025.