Critical Minerals Give China An Edge In Negotiations

GANZHOU, China (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump wants China to lift restrictions on exporting rare earths and other critical minerals that Beijing imposed as part of a years-long trade war. The U.S., and in fact the world, depend on China for the materials. Between 2020 and 2023, China was the source of 70% of U.S. imports of all rare earth compounds, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. China has told exporters of certain key rare earths and other critical minerals to obtain licenses for every shipment abroad. Approvals can take weeks, disrupting supply chains in the U.S. and other countries. China has spent decades building a full industrial chain for mining and processing critical minerals.