US-China trade tensions rise as Beijing postpones talks, says Greer
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US Ambassador Jamison Greer says China delayed trade talks and failed to notify the United States about rare earth export restrictions, escalating US-China trade tensions.
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US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer listens during a television interview at the White House, Friday, August 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
China has postponed a proposed phone call with the United States following Washington’s outreach over Beijing’s latest export restrictions, US Trade Representative Jamison Greer said Sunday.
“As soon as we learned about this from open sources, we approached the Chinese side with a proposal for a phone conversation, but they postponed it,” Greer told Fox News.
The delay follows new developments in the US-China trade standoff, as tensions mount over Beijing’s tightening control of critical exports.
Greer said Sunday that Washington learned of China’s new export restrictions from public sources, not through official channels, warning Beijing will face “consequences.”
He added that despite rising tensions, a meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi could still occur, emphasizing there remains “room for off-ramps” to restore stability in trade relations.
On October 9, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that export restrictions would take effect starting November 8 on a range of goods critical to high-tech and green industries. These include:
- Medium and heavy rare earth elements
- Lithium batteries
- Artificial graphite anode materials
- Extraction and processing equipment for rare earth metals
- Ultra-high-strength materials
Beijing's decision has raised concerns in Washington and other Western capitals over the potential impact on global supply chains and energy transition technologies.
Read more: China warns against hoarding rare earth minerals amid trade tensions
Greer: No official notification from China
According to Greer, China did not officially notify the United States of its decision. The White House only learned of the export restrictions through publicly available information.
“We didn't receive any formal notification,” Greer said. “We learned about it through public sources, and as soon as we did, we made an effort to contact Beijing.”
Reacting to the export controls, Greer accused China of overstepping international norms.
“The Chinese clearly realize they've seriously overstepped their bounds. This power grab will not go unanswered,” he said. “China has exceeded all acceptable limits.”
The move is seen in Washington as a deliberate escalation in the ongoing China trade conflict, with growing calls for a firm response.
White House seeks path to trade stability
Despite the rising tensions, Greer said the US remains open to restoring stability in its trade relationship with China.
“China certainly has room to navigate this situation, and the president continues to have an excellent relationship with President Xi,” he said, referring to US President Donald Trump. “We’re in dialogue with our partners, but we need to find a way back to the stable situation we were in a week ago.”
As the US-China trade dispute deepens, Washington is weighing diplomatic and economic responses while urging Beijing to re-engage in constructive dialogue.
Separately, according to a Financial Times report on Sunday, the Pentagon has reportedly planned to acquire nearly $1 billion worth of critical earth elements amid the upcoming Chinese export restrictions.
Read more: Trump threatens 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, reigniting trade war
