Trump laments China talks stalemate... In a fresh sign of deteriorating U.S./China trade diplomacy, President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping is tough and “extremely hard to make a deal with,” days after he and other U.S. officials accused China of violating an agreement to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. “I like President Xi of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump’s comments suggest growing frustration within the White House as China’s top trade official, Vice Premier He Lifeng, delays the implementation of key export reforms promised under the Geneva framework. The deal, struck in mid-May, was supposed to unlock mineral export licenses and smooth trade in critical sectors — but has seen little follow-through from Beijing.
The Financial Times noted Trump’s tone has shifted markedly since the pause in tariffs was announced, with administration officials now privately warning that China is “slow-walking” commitments while seeking to wait out U.S. political pressure.
Beijing has pushed back on suggestions it’s stalling, with state media accusing Washington of “weaponizing trade policy” and undermining global rules. Trump’s characterization of Xi as “difficult” further underscores the mounting tension ahead of the next review point in July, when paused tariffs could be reimposed if talks fail to make progress.
U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum double to 50%... The U.S. officially imposed 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, doubling the previous 25% rate. The sweeping measure affects all countries except the United Kingdom, significantly intensifying trade tensions with major allies and trading partners.
The move, aimed at reviving domestic metals production and reducing reliance on foreign supply, drew swift criticism from trade partners in the European Union, Japan, South Korea and India — many of whom are now considering retaliatory measures.
The UK has been given a five-week deadline by Trump to finalize a broader trade agreement, following a last-minute reprieve from newly imposed 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum. A key U.S. demand involves the ownership of British Steel, which is currently controlled by China’s Jingye Group despite the UK government’s de facto management. The Trump administration appears to be pressing Starmer to accelerate the process of removing Chinese control — potentially through a full nationalization or new private buyer.
The European Commission vowed a “proportionate response,” while Japan’s trade minister said Tokyo “reserves the right to take action at the WTO.” Canada called the measure “deeply disappointing,” especially given its integrated supply chains with U.S. manufacturers.
Trade deals could come ‘soon’ as deadline arrives... White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday said the administration expects to announce new trade deals “soon,” as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has set a deadline of today for countries negotiating over threatened U.S. tariffs to submit their final and best offers.
The deadline affects multiple ongoing talks, including with close allies and top trading partners such as the UK, Japan, India and the European Union. According to officials, failure to meet USTR’s terms could trigger a new round of tariffs.
Administration sources suggest some countries are scrambling to finalize agriculture access, digital trade and industrial goods terms before the U.S. imposes duties.
Chinese nationals charged with smuggling dangerous pathogen into United States... On June 3, U.S. federal authorities charged two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, with conspiring to smuggle a dangerous biological pathogen into the United States. The pathogen, Fusarium graminearum, is a crop-destroying fungus classified by the FBI as a potential agroterrorism weapon due to its capacity to devastate wheat, barley, corn and rice crops, leading to billions of dollars in global agricultural losses annually.
Jian, 33, a research fellow at the University of Michigan and alleged member of the Chinese Communist Party, is accused of receiving Chinese government funding for her work on the pathogen in China. Her partner, Liu, 34, a researcher at a Chinese university, was intercepted at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in July 2024 attempting to smuggle the fungus concealed in his luggage. Initially denying knowledge of the materials, Liu later admitted he intended to conduct research on the pathogen at the University of Michigan lab where Jian worked.
The charges against the pair include conspiracy, smuggling goods into the U.S., making false statements and visa fraud. Investigators found electronic communications between Jian and Liu discussing the shipment of biological materials and research activities related to the fungus. Additionally, Jian’s electronic devices contained a signed statement expressing loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party.
The University of Michigan stated it had not received any Chinese government funding related to the research conducted by the accused individuals and is cooperating with federal authorities.
This case underscores growing concerns over biosecurity and the potential use of biological materials in acts of terrorism or geopolitical sabotage.
Of note: Fusarium graminearum is already present in the U.S. and is a well-known pathogen responsible for Fusarium head blight (FHB), a disease that affects cereal crops such as wheat and barley. This fungus has been a significant concern for U.S. agriculture, particularly in the Midwest, where it has caused substantial economic losses due to reduced crop yields and grain quality. However, the recent case involving the smuggling of Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. raises serious concerns. While the pathogen is already present domestically, introducing foreign strains can be problematic. Different strains may possess unique genetic characteristics, including increased virulence or resistance to existing control measures. The introduction of such strains could potentially exacerbate the impact of the disease on U.S. agriculture.
Senate Ag Committee advances whole milk bill... The Senate Ag panel on Tuesday approved its version of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, marking a major step toward restoring whole milk as a reimbursable option in federally funded school meal programs.
The bipartisan bill mirrors the House-passed version, which aims to reverse Obama-era regulations that removed whole milk from cafeterias in favor of lower-fat options. Dairy industry groups have long argued that the current rules limit choice and reduce milk consumption among children.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has previously criticized the existing rules as “antiquated,” aligning with industry claims that newer nutrition science supports the benefits of whole milk in moderation.
The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.