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Amid a wide-ranging agenda of complex geopolitical and trade issues, Washington continues to press Beijing, the world’s largest agricultural importer, to increase purchases of soybeans. 

President Trump signed an agreement with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to boost access to critical minerals and rare earths, as the U.S. looks to reduce reliance on China.

The president listed rare earths, fentanyl and soybeans as the U.S.’s top issues with China just before the two sides return to the negotiating table this week in Malaysia. 

Chinese trade data released Oct. 13 showed exports to the U.S. have fallen for six straight months, dropping 27% in September from the year before.

Trump said Oct. 10 that “there seems to be no reason” to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as part of an upcoming trip to South Korea after China restricted exports of rare earths.

Merchandise trade volumes are forecast to rise 2.4% this year, the Geneva-based forum said in a report Oct. 7 — much faster than the 0.9% growth it predicted in August.

One of the world’s most durable and amicable alliances has been fractured by Trump’s trade war and annexation threats.

Led by Rep. Adam Smith, the visit to Beijing comes as tensions have risen between the two countries over trade, technology and opposing views on global conflicts.

President Trump said he had made progress with Chinese President Xi Jinping toward finalizing a deal over TikTok and that the two would meet on the sidelines of the upcoming APEC summit.

The trip is expected to produce a declaration on boosting cooperation in energy, security, transportation and trade, and likely will include pledges to increase trade of autos and parts.