In a notable breakthrough amid prolonged trade tensions, former US President Donald Trump has claimed that a new trade agreement with China is finalized, pending his and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s final approval. The deal prominently features China’s commitment to supply rare earth materials to the United States and allow Chinese students to study in American educational institutions.

Rare earths at the center of revived US-China trade pact

Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to announce that China will provide “full magnets and all necessary rare earth materials” upfront to the United States. In exchange, the US has agreed to uphold access for Chinese students in its universities — a gesture Trump described as historically beneficial and acceptable to him.

The announcement comes after months of trade uncertainty. In May, talks had broken down largely over the issue of rare earths — elements critical for manufacturing electronics, military hardware, and renewable energy technologies. The sudden resumption and rapid progress of negotiations appear to be rooted in both countries’ strategic need for economic and technological stability.

Key terms of the deal

In his post, Trump specified the terms: “Our deal with China is done, subject to final approval with President Xi and me. Full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China. Likewise, we will provide to China what was agreed to, including Chinese students using our colleges and universities… We are getting a total of 55% tariffs, China is getting 10%.”

This statement underscores a trade balance tilt, with the US imposing a higher tariff rate while accepting Chinese student inflow. According to US officials, the agreement restores elements of a framework established during previous Geneva talks aimed at reducing bilateral tariff escalations.

Background: efforts to restore economic cooperation

Earlier this week, Chinese and American officials announced they had established a framework to restart cooperation and reduce export restrictions from China. Chinese Vice Premier also reaffirmed Beijing’s interest in “strengthening cooperation” with Washington, signaling a broader intent to stabilize relations.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described the latest agreement as one that puts “meat on the bones” of last month’s Geneva accord, indicating that both sides are finally turning verbal commitments into tangible policies.

The development follows a round of discussions held in London, where rare earth supply was reportedly the central issue. While Trump has emphasized that the deal awaits final sign-off from him and Xi, the outline provided points to an easing of tensions — at least on critical economic fronts.

The Congress on Wednesday expelled former Madhya Pradesh MLA Laxman Singh, brother of senior leader and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, from its primary membership for six years, citing “anti-party activities”.

Tariq Anwar, member secretary of the Congress Disciplinary Action Committee, announced the decision in a statement: “The Congress president has expelled Laxman Singh, former MLA from Madhya Pradesh, from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress for six years with immediate effect due to his anti-party activities.”

The statement provided no specific details on the nature of Singh’s alleged anti-party actions.

The Madhya Pradesh Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) had earlier recommended action against Singh to the party’s central leadership, prompting the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Disciplinary Action Committee to take up the matter.

Laxman Singh, a seasoned politician, has served as a five-time Member of Parliament and three-time MLA from Madhya Pradesh. He first entered the state assembly in 1990 and won a Lok Sabha seat from Rajgarh in 1994. Singh briefly joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2004, securing another Lok Sabha term, before returning to Congress in 2013.

The Congress had issued a show-cause notice to Singh on May 9, 2025, accusing him of making “derogatory” remarks against senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, which it deemed damaging to the party’s reputation. The notice, signed by Tariq Anwar, highlighted complaints from Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari and AICC general secretary Harish Chaudhary regarding Singh’s repeated public statements.

The controversy erupted on April 25, 2025, when Singh described Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra, the businessman husband of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as “naive”, asserting that their “immaturity” was harming the nation.

Singh further stirred outrage following the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam. He sharply criticised Vadra’s claim that the attack was a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting terrorists acted because “Muslims are feeling weakened” in India. Singh called Vadra’s remarks “irresponsible” and a “threat to national security”.

“Vadra’s claim that terrorists attacked because Muslims were barred from offering namaz on roads is reckless and endangers the country’s security,” Singh stated publicly. “I’m saying this on camera to avoid any confusion. Congress must think carefully before speaking, or the public will respond in elections.”

The show-cause notice underscored that Singh’s “disrespectful” comments, particularly targeting Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had “crossed all acceptable limits” and severely undermined the party’s dignity.

In response to the uptick in Covid-19 infections across India, ministers scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi will now be required to undergo RT-PCR testing, sources revealed. This precautionary step is being implemented as BJP functionaries from Delhi, including the Chief Minister, are set to meet the Prime Minister at his residence today evening.

Additionally, sources confirmed that whenever PM Modi conducts a public rally, every official who will be on stage alongside him must also present a negative RT-PCR report. The renewed emphasis on testing comes amid a resurgence in coronavirus cases, particularly in the southern and western parts of the country.

Active case count crosses 7,100

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India’s active Covid-19 caseload has climbed to 7,121. A total of 306 new cases were recorded since Friday. Kerala currently accounts for the highest number of cases at 2,223, followed by Gujarat (1,223) and Delhi (757). Other states like West Bengal (747), Maharashtra (615), Karnataka (459), and Uttar Pradesh (229) are also reporting rising numbers.

Smaller states and union territories have not been spared either. Tamil Nadu has recorded 204 cases, Puducherry 10, Haryana 125, Andhra Pradesh 72, Madhya Pradesh 65, and Goa six.

Mild cases, but high alert for senior citizens

Despite the surge, officials have reassured the public that most of the current Covid-19 cases are mild in nature. However, health experts have expressed concern for senior citizens, warning that they remain the most vulnerable group to the virus.

New Omicron sub-variants detected

Genome sequencing conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified the circulating variants as sub-lineages of the Omicron strain, which previously led to a major Covid wave in 2022. The sub-variants include LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1, as confirmed by ICMR chief Dr. Rajiv Behl.

Since January this year, official data reports that a total of 74 deaths have occurred due to the virus, which first surfaced in 2020.