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  China controls the rare earths the world buys - can Trump's new deals change that? US President Donald Trump has signed a flurry of deals on his Asia visit to secure the supply of rare earths, a critical sector that China has long dominated. The deals with Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia differ in size and substance and it's too early to assess their tangible impact. But they all include efforts to diversify access to the minerals that have become essential for advanced manufacturing, from electric vehicles to smartphones. The agreements, which aim to lock partners into trading with the US, are a clear bid to reduce dependence on China, ahead of a key meeting with its leader Xi Jinping. They could eventually challenge Beijing's stranglehold over rare earths, but experts say it will be a costly process that will take years. "Building new mines, refining facilities, and processing plants in regions such as Australia, the United States, and Europe comes ...
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Third round of Bangladesh-US tariff talks begins in Washington


The third round of formal discussions between Bangladesh and the United States on tariff-related issues began in Washington on Tuesday at 2:00 pm local time.

Earlier, an informal session was held at 12:30 pm, with discussions scheduled to continue until 5:30 pm.The next round of talks will resume on Wednesday at 9:00 am local time.The Bangladesh delegation, led by Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, arrived in Washington on Tuesday morning.

The delegation also includes National Security Adviser to the Chief Adviser and High Representative on the Rohingya Crisis Dr Khalilur Rahman, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Dr Nazneen Kauser Chowdhury.Officials from different ministries and departments in Dhaka are also participating virtually.The US side is being led by Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, accompanied by officials from trade and customs-related departments.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC is coordinating the entire negotiation process.

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