Foreign Policy | Christina Lu
China's dominant position in the global rare-earth supply chain presents a significant strategic leverage point for Beijing, particularly in the context of an anticipated summit between President Trump and President Xi. These critical minerals are indispensable for a wide array of advanced technologies, including defense systems, electronics, and renewable energy components, making the United States deeply vulnerable to any potential export restrictions or disruptions. Despite Washington's ongoing efforts to secure alternative sources and develop domestic processing capabilities, its reliance on Chinese rare earths persists. Beijing is poised to utilize this "rare-earth card" as a powerful bargaining chip during high-stakes trade and technology negotiations, aiming to extract concessions or influence policy outcomes. The summit underscores the intensifying economic and technological competition, with control over critical mineral supply chains emerging as a pivotal element of national security and geopolitical influence.
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