US and China agree framework deal to extend trade war truce

Workers transport soil containing rare-earth elements in Lianyungang, China. The minerals have proved a sticking point in the US-China talks. Photograph: China Stringer Network/Reuters

The US and China have extended the truce in their trade war after two days of talks in London that resulted in a “framework” deal over export restrictions on rare earths and semiconductors.

Negotiations to resolve the wider tariff war triggered by Donald Trump in April will continue but the truce settles, for now, growing tension between the two economic super-powers.