Xi Bets Trump Detente Leads to Future Wins on Chips, Tariffs

In the early hours of Wednesday, Donald Trump declared that Xi Jinping was “VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!” Some 36 hours later, the US leader said he got what he wanted: A commitment to restore the flow of rare earth magnets.

It’s less clear what Xi got in return, apart from putting a lid on further punitive US measures. One of the few clear takeaways appeared to be an assurance for the US to welcome Chinese students, a major issue in China but also not one that would explain why Xi got on the phone after making Trump wait for months.