Mr. Miller, one of President Trump’s top advisers, sold shares in the mining company MP Materials following a lucrative deal between the company and the government.
Stephen Miller, one of the president’s top advisers, sold shares of a mining company after it had begun negotiations with the government, raising concerns among ethics experts.
The changes would make it easier for American firms to obtain key minerals, delivering on what the White House said the two countries had agreed to at last month’s summit.
The Chinese government followed through on promises it made publicly after a recent summit, but has not yet taken other actions sought by the White House.
China has suspended export controls announced this month, but was conspicuously silent about rules imposed earlier, which are snarling global supply chains.
President Trump and the Chinese leader Xi Jinping are being described as “irreplaceable” and “world class leaders” before a meeting seen as critical for shoring up a trade truce.
The U.S. announced agreements on Sunday with Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia, securing support for its efforts to pressure China on trade and critical minerals.
The United States hopes to become less dependent on China by increasing access to mineral-rich countries. Rare earth metals are vital to an array of modern industries.
China’s escalating curbs on the critical minerals has given Australia, a longstanding U.S. ally, the opportunity to reposition itself to a transactional president.
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