WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump insisted Thursday he would bring India and Pakistan to the table with China. Tensions remain elevated between the world’s two biggest economies, with Washington recently accusing Beijing of slow-walking export approvals for rare earth minerals.

It remains unclear if the steeper levies will return for all countries in early July. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told lawmakers earlier Wednesday that an extended pause is possible for those “negotiating in good faith.”

“There are 18 important trading partners. We are working toward deals on those,” he said.

Bessent said it is likely that for countries or trading blocs such as the EU, Washington would decide to “roll the date forward to continue the good faith negotiations.”—AFP