Xi-Trump Meeting | Ministry of Commerce: 200 Boeing Aircraft to be Imported; Export Controls on Rare Earths to be Implemented in Accordance with Laws and Regulations
Written by:Zhu Jiazhang
publishing: 2026-05-20 13:05 renew: 2026-05-20 13:21
US President Donald Trump visited China earlier, and President Xi Jinping met with him. The Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce today (20th) interpreted the preliminary results of the Sino-US economic and trade negotiations, stating that in accordance with the important consensus reached by the Chinese and US leaders, Chinese aviation will introduce 200 Boeing aircraft based on commercial principles and according to its own air transport development needs. At the same time, the US will provide China with sufficient engine and spare parts supply guarantees.
On May 14, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump visited China and shook hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a state banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Reuters)
Export controls will be implemented on key minerals such as rare earths in accordance with laws and regulations.
Regarding rare earths, the Ministry of Commerce stated that China and the United States will jointly study and resolve each other's legitimate concerns. The Chinese government imposes export controls on rare earths and other key minerals in accordance with laws and regulations, and reviews compliant, civilian-use licensing applications. China is willing to work with the United States to create favorable conditions for promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between enterprises of both countries and ensuring the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.
Regarding tariffs, the Ministry of Commerce stated that China hopes the US will honor its commitments and ensure that, regardless of the reasons for imposing or replacing tariffs on China in the future, the level of US tariffs on China will not exceed the level of the Joint Arrangement for Trade and Economic Consultations in Kuala Lumpur, and that further unilateral tariffs on China will be eliminated through subsequent consultations.
At the same time, both sides agreed in principle to discuss a framework arrangement for reciprocal tariff reductions on products of equal size under the Trade Council, with each side having a scale of US$30 billion or more. For products of mutual concern agreed upon by both sides, most-favored-nation tariff rates or even lower are expected to be applied.
Agreed to establish an intergovernmental trade council and an investment council
The Ministry of Commerce stated that China and the United States have agreed to establish an intergovernmental trade council and an investment council. The establishment of these two councils will provide a platform for pragmatic discussions on mutual concerns in trade and investment, facilitating policy exchanges, expanding cooperation, managing differences, and shifting China-US trade consultations from a "crisis-based response" to "mechanized management," thus providing an effective mechanism to guarantee bilateral trade cooperation.
Resumption of registration for qualified US beef exporters to China
Regarding agricultural products, the Ministry of Commerce stated that the U.S. has committed to resolving or substantially advancing the resolution of non-tariff barriers and market access issues for some Chinese agricultural products. These commitments primarily include: first, lifting the automatic detention measures imposed on Chinese dairy products and dairy-containing foods imported into the U.S. since 2008; second, agreeing to accept experimental imports of Chinese potted plants; and third, agreeing to promote the lifting of automatic detention measures on three categories of Chinese aquatic products imported into the U.S. In addition, the U.S. has made positive commitments regarding designating Shandong as a disease-free zone for highly pathogenic avian influenza and expediting the review of applications from relevant Chinese companies to be removed from the import alert red list.
The Ministry of Commerce stated that China has resumed the registration of qualified US beef exporters, lifted restrictions on highly pathogenic avian influenza in some qualified US states, and resumed imports of poultry products from relevant US states. It will also expedite the review of rectification materials from US beef companies whose exports to China were suspended due to drug residue issues, and will engage in exchanges and communication with the US regarding agricultural biotechnology issues of concern to the US.
On May 14, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump visited China and attended a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Reuters)
