China’s recent decision to halt exports of seven critical rare earth elements to the United States marks a significant escalation in the ongoing trade war between the two countries. This move, announced earlier this week, directly impacts supply chains for electric vehicles, semiconductors, advanced missiles and renewable energy tech. By restricting access to these materials, China is leveraging its dominance in the global rare earths market. This is being seen as a strategic manoeuvre that underscores the growing importance of rare earth mineral resources in 21st-century geopolitics. 02:27 WHAT ARE RARE EARTH MINERALS?03:30 CHINA’S RARE EARTH MONOPOLY04:58 CHINA WEAPONIZING RARE EARTH MINERALS?n18oc_world n18oc_crux
