Last week, China’s Ministry of Commerce published a document that went by the name of “announcement No. 62 of 2025”.

But this wasn’t just any bureaucratic missive. It has rocked the fragile tariffs truce with the US.

The announcement detailed sweeping new curbs on its rare earth exports, in a move that tightens Beijing’s grip on the global supply of the critical minerals - and reminded Donald Trump just how much leverage China holds in the trade war.

China has a near-monopoly in the processing of rare earths - crucial for the production of everything from smartphones to fighter jets.

  • RandAlThor@lemmy.ca
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    1 day ago

    It’s not new, and it’s known to China and any half-intelligent observer forever. Rare earths are the only lever China has on US. US on the other hand has a chokehold on China’s throat, its economic future and present: AI chips, and the largest single export market for China’s economic engine while its economy falters - its exports. Trump has the leverage, and he’s bargaining hard.

    • PeacefulForest@lemmy.world
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      2 hours ago

      From everyone I’ve spoken to that’s been to China, there is no competition the U.S. has anymore. We were already pretty screwed to “compete” in the world race, but once Trump was elected to office we gave up what little run we had left. We have some serious stuff to cover locally in our own country before we can truly compete again.

    • Xulai@mander.xyz
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      1 day ago

      You’re either a propaganda bot or someone facing propaganda toxicity.

      • RandAlThor@lemmy.ca
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        1 day ago

        You are sadly not well informed on the global trade and economics. Read my comment history. I don’t like China or Trump. Both are authoritarian regimes and fascists. I suppose that makes you in favor of China and a Chinese bot on a Western discussion board?

          • RandAlThor@lemmy.ca
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            21 hours ago

            your name, Xulai is Chinese isn’t it? You need to be more clever about faking yourself as a “Westerner” Chinese bot.