China threatens access to supplies vital to the most important U.S. industries

China has announced plans to tighten export controls on rare earth elements and products containing them, directly threatening access to supplies vital for key U.S. industries like semiconductors and defense. This move is seen as a tactic to gain leverage ahead of an anticipated meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi. These expanded controls build upon earlier measures and signal a growing tension between the U.S. and China over access to critical inputs for advanced industries, particularly artificial intelligence. The timing of some of these new regulations, set to take effect before the current U.S.-China trade truce expires, suggests a deliberate strategy by China to exert influence. The U.S. is closely monitoring the impac... download the app to read more