Why Rare Earths Are China’s Trump Card in Trade War: Explainer

Rare earths are among the most critical raw materials on the planet, deeply embedded in the technologies that underpin modern life — from iPhones and cars to data centers and MRI machines.

The world has long been reliant on China for rare earths. The country leveraged that dependence when responding to the tariffs salvo unleashed by US President Donald Trump last year. The pressure it exerted by restricting rare earth exports was a key catalyst for the two superpowers agreeing to a trade truce. The reminder of China’s stranglehold also underscored the vulnerability of Western supply chains and injected momentum ...