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Trump Threatens Rare Earth Export Restrictions on China

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. ens-rare-earth-export-restrictions-on-china.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, February 17th 2026 at 0:21 GMT by CNN
      Locales: CHINA, UNITED STATES

Washington D.C. - February 17th, 2026 - Former President Donald Trump has once again raised the specter of a trade war with China, this time threatening to restrict Chinese exports of crucial rare earth elements unless Beijing lifts tariffs on American goods. The pronouncement, delivered via a series of posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday, February 13th, 2026, signals a potential hardening of stance on trade policy should he return to the White House, and highlights the continuing strategic importance of rare earth elements in the global economy.

Trump's statement, "I've been telling everybody that Rare Earths are very, very important to our country. If China blocked our exports, we can block theirs," echoes a similar tactic employed during the initial rounds of the US-China trade disputes beginning in 2019. At that time, the administration hinted at leveraging control over rare earth supplies as a negotiating tool. This current reemergence of the threat suggests that such strategies remain central to Trump's thinking on international trade.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are not actually 'rare' in terms of abundance, but rather are dispersed, making economical extraction challenging. This group of 17 metallic elements - including scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanide series - are vital components in a staggering range of modern technologies. From smartphones and electric vehicles to wind turbines, advanced medical imaging, and critically, defense systems, REEs are indispensable. The dependency on these elements is so acute that they are often referred to as 'critical materials.'

China currently dominates the global rare earth supply chain, controlling an estimated 70-80% of the world's production. While other nations possess REE deposits, the environmental regulations, processing capabilities, and established infrastructure in China give it a significant advantage. This dominance has created a strategic vulnerability for the US and other nations reliant on Chinese supply, sparking concerns over potential disruptions and geopolitical leverage.

Recognizing this vulnerability, the Biden administration has, in recent years, initiated efforts to diversify the REE supply chain. These efforts include funding research into alternative extraction methods, supporting domestic mining projects (albeit often facing environmental opposition), and forging partnerships with allied nations like Australia, Canada, and India to develop alternative sources. However, progress has been slow, and the US remains heavily reliant on China for these essential materials.

The continuation of many of the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese goods under President Biden has contributed to the ongoing trade friction. While intended to level the playing field and protect American industries, these tariffs have also fueled retaliatory measures from China, creating a cycle of economic tension. Negotiations to resolve the overarching trade dispute have stalled, leaving a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the future of US-China economic relations.

Analysts predict that Trump's threat to block rare earth exports would almost certainly trigger a strong response from Beijing, potentially involving export restrictions on other critical materials or even direct limitations on REE shipments to the US. Such a move would have immediate and far-reaching consequences for numerous industries, causing supply chain bottlenecks, price increases, and potentially hindering technological innovation.

The situation is further complicated by the growing geopolitical rivalry between the US and China. The competition extends beyond trade to encompass areas like technology, military power, and influence in international organizations. REEs have become a focal point of this rivalry, highlighting the intersection of economic and national security concerns.

The next steps remain uncertain. Whether this is merely a rhetorical maneuver intended to pressure China or a genuine indication of future policy is yet to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the issue of rare earth elements and the stability of the US-China trade relationship will remain a critical concern for businesses, policymakers, and the global economy as a whole.