China Tightens Control Over Rare Earth Industry, US Envoy Warns

Accusing Beijing of weaponizing its dominance in critical minerals, US ambassador to China David Perdue highlighted China’s increasing control over the rare-earth industry and its efforts to target companies establishing supply chains outside the country. Perdue’s comments follow a recent Trump-Xi meeting at the White House, where the issue of rare earths and critical minerals was not discussed. Perdue emphasized that China’s actions are unacceptable, stating, “We are not going to live in a world where we have to go to China and kowtow to do business.” Perdue described a shift in Beijing’s strategy, from controlling rare-earth exports to imposing…