Last week, President Trump postponed a summit with his Chinese counterpart on account of the war with Iran. When Trump and Xi Jinping do meet, here’s an agenda item bound to figure prominently: rare earth elements. Right now, China holds a near-monopoly over these strategic metals that are key components in so much that makes…
Last Updated:March 03, 2026, 12:17 IST China holds global defence technologies hostage with its chokehold on critical rare earths. This, is exactly how India is weaponizing billions to break free, and fight back. Semiconductor chips are seen on a printed circuit board; A block with the symbol, atomic number and mass number of Scandium (Sc)…
Deep Dive delves into hot issues in Hong Kong and mainland China. Our easy-to-understand articles provide context to grasp what’s happening, while our questions help you craft informed responses. Check sample answers at the end of the page. Rare earth minerals are crucial for many technologies, from smartphones to electric vehicles and weapons. China is…
(Bloomberg) — China’s Premier Li Qiang came to the Group of 20 summit not only poised to defend his country’s rare earths curbs, but also armed with offerings to quell concerns of developing nations. Critical minerals became a defining theme of Africa’s first G-20 summit this weekend. Sessions were dedicated to the topic as European…
A worldwide rush to tap the Arctic’s resources is accelerating as countries look for alternatives to China’s stronghold over strategic minerals. Melting ice and improving access have drawn renewed interest to the largely undeveloped polar region, which is increasingly viewed as a potential source of rare earths, base metals and new trade routes, as per…
CHONGQING, CHINA – JULY 26: In this photo illustration, metal cubes representing rare earth elements including Scandium (Sc), Yttrium (Y), Neodymium (Nd), Lanthanum (La), and othersare stacked in a stepped formation in front of the national flag of China, with each cube marked with its chemical symbol, atomic number, and atomic weight, on July 26,…
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in a recent interview, said that China has allegedly made a ‘real mistake’ threatening to shut off the exports of rare earth minerals to foreign nations, as now the United States will potentially try to secure alternative supplies in the next two years, reported the news portal Financial Times on…
By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday took steps to de-escalate their trade war, swapping some U.S. tariff reductions and tighter export controls for a pause in Beijing’s new restrictions on rare earth minerals and magnets and a resumption of its purchases of American soybeans. The…
By Rozanna Latiff and David Lawder KUALA LUMPUR/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Top economic officials from the U.S. and China are due to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Friday for talks to prevent a trade war escalation and keep next week’s meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on track. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott…
The Trump administration is reportedly considering a plan to restrict US software exports to China in response to Beijing’s latest rare earth export restrictions, Reuters reported, citing a US official and sources briefed by authorities. The potential measures could target products ranging from laptops to jet engines. Scope of proposed measures The proposed restrictions are…