Abbos Bobokhonov, Head of the IAIS’s Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies, emphasized the importance of the tariff negotiations between the United States and China in London in an interview with Kun.uz. According to him, the composition of the representatives who participated in the negotiations demonstrated not only the economic but also the political priority of this issue for the US, clearly showing its strategic importance.

 

Bobokhonov also expressed his opinion on customs tariffs and trade relations that currently exist between China and the US. He said that the London framework agreement is expected to reduce barriers between the two economies and restore confidence in the market.

 

During the negotiations, the importance of China’s rare earth metals became a separate topic of discussion. Bobokhonov emphasized that without these metals, major US defense and high-tech projects would practically come to a standstill, as modern radar systems, electric vehicle batteries and various industrial processes depend on this raw material. Therefore, if Beijing temporarily suspends exports, there is a possibility of sharp disruptions in the global supply chain.

 

In the interview, the expert also touched on Donald Trump’s tariff policy and pointed out its internal outcomes. In his opinion, high domestic tariffs have put pressure on domestic consumers and exporting companies, accelerated price inflation and caused a shortage of raw materials in some strategic sectors.

 

* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.