Officials from both sides are meeting on Monday in London, aiming to resolve differences over tariffs and supply chains that have endangered a fragile truce between the countries.

China returns to trade talks with the U.S. holding, from its view, a strong hand: Its economy is bearing up better than expected. And it has an ace card: rare earths.

Chinese exports grew slower than expected in May, according to official data Monday, as shipments to the United States tumbled amid global trade turmoil triggered by Donald Trump's tariff blitz. Leaders' failure to kickstart demand threatens their official growth targets and complicates their ability to shield its economy from Trump's tariff blitz.