President Donald Trump said rare earths, fentanyl, and soybeans are the U.S.’s main priorities in talks with China as both sides prepare to resume negotiations amid an expiring trade truce. “I don’t want them to play the rare earth game with us,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, days after threatening 100% tariffs on Chinese shipments following Beijing’s plan to tighten controls on the critical minerals. He also urged Beijing “to stop with the fentanyl,” blaming China for failing to curb exports of the drug and its precursors that fuel the U.S. opioid crisis. Trump added that Washington wants China to resume soybean purchases, calling the three issues “very, you know, normal things.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said talks will be held in Malaysia later this week after a “constructive” virtual meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Friday.
