眼见中方软硬不吃，美财长再出昏招：美国可有着30万中国留学生

Group 1 - The U.S. Treasury Secretary's remarks indicate a fluctuating stance on tariffs against China, suggesting that a 100% tariff may not be imminent, while also highlighting the significant number of Chinese students in the U.S. as a potential leverage point [1][10] - China's rare earth exports have plummeted to 4,000.3 tons in September, a 30.9% decrease from August, marking a six-month low, coinciding with new regulations that tighten export controls [3][14] - The U.S. faces challenges in domestic rare earth processing capabilities, with a projected five-year timeline and 30% to 50% higher costs compared to China for rebuilding separation capacity [7][8] Group 2 - The recent U.S. tariff threats have led to significant market reactions, including a more than 2% drop in the S&P 500 index, reflecting widespread concern among American businesses [5] - China's new regulations on rare earths not only affect direct exports but also third-party transactions, impacting major tech companies like TSMC and Samsung, which may face delays in acquiring necessary materials [14] - The U.S. service trade surplus, particularly from education-related services, remains a critical area for the U.S. economy, with Chinese students contributing over $14 billion annually [10][16] Group 3 - China's countermeasures are described as precise and calculated, targeting U.S. vulnerabilities while leaving room for negotiation, as seen in the new port fees for U.S. vessels [12] - The ongoing trade tensions are characterized by a lack of effective U.S. strategies against China's rare earth controls, with experts suggesting that the U.S. has exhausted its credibility due to inconsistent policies [18][21] - The focus of upcoming negotiations should shift towards mutual respect and equality, as the current approach of leveraging threats is deemed ineffective in a globalized economy [21]