1/ Scoop - Before Trump's visit to Beijing this past May, Chinese officials offered to extend the rare earths moratorium to the end of Trump's term, in January 2029.
The U.S. rejected the offer, requesting a six-month extension only. https://t.co/QICbOvk2ii
Rather amazing that asking for a stronger Chinese currency (bigger dollar GDP, more external purchasing power, etc) gets equated with stopping China's rise.
It literally is asking China to provide the Chinese people with more external purchasing power
For China, Iran isn't a serious partner but a cheap hedge against Washington. A Chinese official told me once, "it's been more of a liability." China's trade in 2025:
- United States $575B
- Saudi Arabia $108B
- UAE $108B
- Iran $10B ($41B if you add the Iranian crude Beijing doesn't book).
Iran depends on China for ~90% of its oil exports and over ~50% of its imports (UAE transshipped added)
China depends on Iran for ~12% (much lower now) of its crude imports and 0.2% of its exports.
@kyleichan Perhaps he would prefer to avoid expectations of appearing as the opposite pole to the U.S. on so many issues (Iran, ai regulation , etc ) so near his summit with Trump ?
NASA HAS RELEASED OVER 12,000 IMAGES OF THE ARTEMIS II MISSION.
Unbelievable perspectives captured by the Crew! The aurora on the eclipse is incredible.
@BDHerzinger I realized this when I flew ANA and they sent a Japanese dude to my gate (I was going to miss my connecting flight because of a delay) to PERSONALLY escort me to the plane. When I thanked him, he simply bowed and said (in a thick Japanese accent) “it is my duty.”