Even while warning about national security and human rights abuse, the U.S. government across five Republican and Democratic administrations has repeatedly allowed and even actively helped American firms to sell technology to Chinese police,

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reported a productive meeting with China's Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun, agreeing to strengthen communication and maintain bilateral stability. This follows President Trump's positive assessment of his meeting with President Xi Jinping,

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had agreed with President Xi Jinping to trim tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing cracking down on the illicit fentanyl trade, resuming U.S. soybean purchases and keeping rare earths exports flowing.

An analysis by the economic research firm Veda Partners recalled that in the 2020 trade deal that Mr. Trump reached with China in his first term, China committed to buying about 142 million tons of U.S. soybeans over two years. In the agreement on Thursday, it committed to 87 million tons across four years.

Chinese President Xi Jinping offered these words to President Trump before their private meeting on Thursday in South Korea: PRESIDENT XI JINPING (through translator): President Trump, it is a great pleasure for me as well to meet you.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth leaves after a bilateral meeting with Malaysia's Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. | Dita Alangkara

China’s defense ministry issued a cautious response, emphasizing its longstanding positions. Dong Jun stressed the reunification of China and Taiwan is an “unstoppable historical trend” and urged the U.S. to be cautious in its words and actions on the Taiwan issue, the statement said.

President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agree on soybean purchases after China shifted purchases to Brazil, a move that hurt American farmers.