Plan expands on policy announced last year granting 33 least-developed African countries zero-tariff treatment.

Beijing has gained time to build up its own strengths by drawing out negotiations with the United States, using its chokehold over critical minerals.

China has approved “a certain number” of export permits for rare earth elements and related items, its commerce ministry spokesman said on Thursday

To recap, currently the tit-for-tat trade war between Beijing and Washington D.C. has entered something of a truce, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announcing a 90-day pause in May. Both sides agreed to lower their rates by 115%, meaning Bejing faces a 30% tariff and the U.S. faces a 10% tariff.

That's the total value of pharmaceuticals China imported last year, up from $27 billion in 2017. Despite Beijing's drive for economic self-sufficiency, it has continued to welcome U.S. medical supplie

And Trump’s own comments created confusion about what was happening to his taxes – tariffs — on Chinese imports, generating uncertainty about more than $660 billion in annual trade between the two countries.

The US and China wrapped up two days of high-stakes trade talks in London. The result: a plan to establish a framework for implementing a consensus the two sides had already agreed to last month. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the Chinese had pledged to speed up shipments of rare-earth metals critical to US auto and defense firms,