Part 3/11:
On the surface, the meeting seemed like a diplomatic gesture to de-escalate tensions, with both sides reaching subtle compromises. The United States agreed to reduce certain tariffs on Chinese goods, notably fentanyl-related products, and China promised to resume American soybean purchases and temporarily paused its licensing regime on rare earth minerals. Trump called the deal "amazing" and awarded it a perfect 12 out of 10.
However, beneath the veneer of cooperation, both nations understood this was merely a pause—temporary and fragile. The core issues remaining unresolved involve the control of vital technological resources that underpin modern industries and military capabilities.