US urges China to 'fully meet' rare-earths pledge in virtual meeting, Bessent says

US-China tensionsBeijing cites 'serious concerns' about American trade curbs following robot banChinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, left, spoke with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on July 30. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)KENTARO SHIOZAKI, YUKIO TAJIMA and RYOHEI YASOSHIMAJuly 31, 2026 05:43 JSTBEIJING/WASHINGTON -- Top Chinese and U.S. economic officials held talks Thursday aimed at stabilizing relations between the two powers, with rare earths and Washington's export controls emerging as key topics.