Scott Besson

And Steve, I will go back to my third grade.

South Carolina is one of two states that still teaches state history, South Carolina and Texas.

I will go back to my third grade South Carolina state history.

And I will tell you the reason the university is

South Carolina is called the Gamecocks is because General Sumter, we're sitting in Sumter, South Carolina was called the fighting Gamecock because he was so tough.

So little history, little economics.

Great.

Great to see you in the war room crowd.

Thank you.

We've reached a substantial framework for the two leaders.

The president had given me maximum leverage when he threatened 100% tariffs if the Chinese imposed their rare earth global export controls.

So I think we have averted that.

Fresh from negotiations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Secretary Besson tells ABC that

The stage is set for President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to finalize a trade deal.

At issue are tightening Chinese restrictions on metals, materials, and magnets needed for U.S.

cars, weaponry, and chips.

Besson says Trump's threat of hiked levies delayed the new rare-earth licensing regime.

Besant also says he expects China to revive their buying of U.S.

soybeans, but he added nothing is final until Trump and Xi meet on Thursday.

Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.