Trade talks between the United States and China are set to continue in London today, with officials aiming to make progress on key issues surrounding technology exports and rare earth element shipments.
Following more than six hours of negotiations on Monday, discussions are expected to resume this morning at Lancaster House. Investors remain cautiously optimistic that a breakthrough could help ease ongoing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
President Donald Trump described the first day of talks as positive, telling reporters: “We are doing well with China. China’s not easy… I’m only getting good reports.”
US officials have expressed frustration that China has not delivered rare earth minerals and magnets as quickly as expected, despite an initial trade agreement reached in Geneva a month ago.
Speaking in London, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two sides had a “good meeting,” according to Bloomberg, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described the talks as “fruitful.”
The S&P 500 on Wall Street is now just 2.3% below its all-time high from February, while the Nasdaq Composite sits 2.9% off its peak from December.
The FTSE gained ground following comments from President Trump, who said he was receiving “only good reports” on the progress of trade talks between the US and China, which were underway in London.
Speaking from the White House on Monday, the President acknowledged the talks weren’t easy: “We are doing well with China. China’s not easy,” he said. “I’m only getting good reports.”
