US-China Relations

The Game Behind Rubio's Statement: Putting Pressure on China

Behind US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statement that Chinese students' visas should be revoked lies a trade ploy. Sources tell Axios.

The US administration hopes that it will increase the pressure on China to continue selling rare earth metals – something that China planned to use as an ace up its sleeve during negotiations on tariffs.

The metals are crucial for several industries in the US, especially the tech industry where they are used in, among other things, the production of batteries. 

Analysis: Trump cannot push as he wants

Donald Trump's foreign policy eyebrows are growing.

Getting world leaders to do what you want is more difficult than institutions and companies, writes Stephen Collinson in an analysis for CNN. Trump has tried, without success, to pressure Vladimir Putin into a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. He also believed that he could pressure China's Xi Jinping to align himself with the ranks in the battle over tariffs.

"Powerful leaders pursue their national self-interests [...] Most are not receptive to personal appeals without some form of return," writes Collinson.

The US's frosty relationship with China gained another layer during the Shangri-La security conference. Namely, Europe's approach to the country, write Greg Torode and Fanny Potkin in an analysis for Reuters.

Several European nations showed that their approach to China and Asia will not be affected by US pressure. "Beyond the rhetoric, regional military experts and analysts say that the European presence - and ambitions - in the region may not be so easy to change," they write.