Rare earth elements — a group of 17 metals critical for producing everything from smartphones and wind turbines to missile guidance systems — have long been a choke point in U.S.–China relations. China controls more than 60% of global production and nearly 90% of processing capacity.
Trump’s post accused Beijing of “a rather sinister and hostile move, to say the least.” He said he had not spoken to his Chinese counterpart, but that he was surprised by the new restrictions, and that there “seems to be no reason” to go ahead with meeting Xi in two weeks’ time.
