• President Trump announces that the US has signed a trade deal with China.
• The deal includes provisions for rare earth exports and student visas for Chinese nationals.
• China agrees to lift restrictive measures and expedite export approvals.
• The framework of the deal was finalized following recent talks in Geneva and London.
• Trump anticipates a significant trade deal with India to follow soon.

US President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday a new trade deal with China, stating, “We just signed with China the other day,” while calling attention to the significant access to rare earth minerals included in the agreement. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick elaborated that the deal, signed earlier in the week, is a vital development amid the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations, without delving into specifics of the agreement, according to aa and Africanews.

As part of the deal, China has pledged to expedite the approval of rare earth shipments which are crucial for industries such as automotive and technology. In turn, the US will cancel a series of restrictive measures that have been partially responsible for escalating trade tensions, as noted by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. “China will review and approve applications for controlled items that meet the requirements in accordance with the law,” they stated, according to Channel News Asia and TRT Global.

The trade negotiations, which resumed after earlier discussions in Geneva and London, highlight the ongoing issue of rare earth minerals, where China holds a significant global market share. These minerals are critical for manufacturing components, including those used in electric vehicles and national defense. Trump remarked on the importance of these materials during his announcement, emphasizing that “in the China deal, we're starting to open up China,” after years of tariffs and trade barriers, according to HuffPost and NPR.

Furthermore, the agreement also facilitates the continuation of student visa programs for Chinese nationals studying in the US, striving to maintain educational ties amidst the trade disputes. This was reflected in the deal's terms as part of larger diplomatic negotiations, highlighting an effort to mend relations beyond simple economic factors, as reported by The Jakarta Post and Al Jazeera.

However, challenges remain as the deadline for higher tariffs imposed on multiple nations is approaching. Trump mentioned plans for a significant trade deal with India in the near future, suggesting an ongoing strategy to expand US trade agreements globally amid fluctuating international relations, according to Dawn and Channel News Asia.