China’s rare earths retaliation: A strategic move with global implications amid Trump’s trade war

China’s rare earths export controls on seven critical elements have jolted global supply chains, marking a bold escalation in its trade standoff with President Trump and the United States Announced on 4 April 2025, China’s move to restrict rare earths came as a direct counter to US President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs, unveiled just days earlier, which slapped a 50% levy on Chinese imports. Beijing’s response targets samarium, gadolinium, terbium,…