Fact Check: "On June 11, 2025, U.S. and Chinese negotiators reached an agreement to resume regular exports of rare earths to the United States."
What We Know
On June 11, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a deal had been reached with China regarding the supply of rare earth minerals and magnets. This announcement came after two days of negotiations in London aimed at easing trade tensions between the two countries. Trump claimed that "full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China" (source-3). However, the details of the agreement were limited, and it was noted that the deal was still subject to final approval from both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (source-2).
Despite Trump's optimistic tone, analysts have pointed out that the agreement primarily served to return both countries to a previous status quo rather than establishing new trade terms. The U.S. was expected to relax some restrictions on technology exports and walk back threats regarding Chinese student visas, while China would ease its restrictions on rare earth exports (source-1, source-3).
Analysis
While the announcement of a deal to resume exports of rare earths was made, the context suggests that this claim lacks substance. The agreement was described as a "handshake deal" that did not significantly alter the existing tariffs or trade barriers that had been in place (source-3). Analysts have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the deal, questioning what tangible benefits it provided compared to the previous arrangements (source-2).
Moreover, the deal's announcement did not lead to any immediate changes in market behavior, indicating that stakeholders may not have viewed it as a significant breakthrough (source-1). The lack of detailed commitments and the ongoing complexities of U.S.-China trade relations further undermine the claim that a robust agreement was reached.
The sources used in this analysis are credible news organizations, including Reuters, BBC, and The New York Times, which are known for their journalistic standards. However, the nature of the announcement and the subsequent analysis from various experts suggest that the claim of a definitive agreement on rare earth exports is overstated.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that U.S. and Chinese negotiators reached a concrete agreement to resume regular exports of rare earths on June 11, 2025, is misleading. While an announcement was made, the details indicate that the agreement was more about easing tensions and returning to a previous status quo rather than establishing a new, substantive trade framework. The lack of specific commitments and the cautious responses from analysts suggest that the claim does not reflect the reality of the situation.
