With increasing tension between the world’s two largest economies – over rare earth minerals, over Chinese students at U.S. universities – a look at some data points.

Chinese exports of rare earth minerals, which are vital to carmakers and other industries, and China's access to high-end technology from the U.S., including computer chips, are high on the agenda.

The US trade deficit narrowed in April by the most on record on the largest-ever plunge in imports, illustrating an abrupt end to the massive front-loading of goods by some companies ahead of higher tariffs.

On a YTD basis, U.S. trade was a record $1.94 trillion, exports a record $711.20 billion, imports a record $1.22 trillion, and the deficit a record $512.98 billion.

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call Thursday amid ongoing tensions between the two superpowers — with a new in-person meeting planned soon.

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed by a record amount in April ahead of the implementation of President Trump’s tariffs, according to a Thursday release from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S.

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed sharply in April, with imports decreasing by the most on record as the front-running of goods ahead of tariffs ebbed, which could provide a lift to economic growth this quarter.

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.