China is tightening its grip on strategic minerals, even as President Trump’s administration secures a crucial trade truce with Beijing. Despite recent negotiations aimed at reducing tensions, China announced plans to further control the mining, processing, transportation, and export of key minerals—particularly rare earth elements, which are indispensable to advanced technology and military hardware.
In a May 14 statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce declared its intention to “strengthen control over the entire supply chain of strategic minerals.” This announcement followed closely on the heels of a significant meeting in Changsha, involving officials from ten Chinese government agencies and representatives from seven mineral-rich provinces. Their explicit goal? To monitor the flow of these crucial resources and “strictly prevent their illegal outflows.”
Make no mistake—this isn’t merely about trade. It’s a carefully orchestrated power play. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) underscored the reality of the situation eloquently at a recent Senate hearing: “The Chinese Communist Party isn’t just exporting minerals, it’s exporting leverage. By controlling the midstream choke points of global mineral processing and using that power to restrict exports of rare earth elements, Beijing is effectively turning raw materials into raw geopolitical pressure.”
This issue is not new, but the stakes have never been higher. Just last December, after President Trump enacted tougher restrictions on China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology—a necessary move to protect American national security—Beijing retaliated by banning shipments of critical processed minerals like gallium, germanium, and antimony to the United States. These materials are essential for our economic security and defense readiness.
Now, despite the recent U.S.-China trade deal announced on May 12—which explicitly stated Beijing’s commitment to “suspend or remove the non-tariff countermeasures taken against the United States”—China remains evasive about whether this agreement applies to rare earth export controls. When questioned, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian dodged specifics, referring reporters to the official readouts. However, state-affiliated social media accounts like Yuyuan Tantian clarified the regime’s stance: China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements remain firmly in place.
Americans should see this for what it is: a deliberate strategy to maintain leverage over the United States and other Western countries reliant on these critical minerals. China controls an alarming share of the global processing capacity for rare earth elements. Our dependence on this hostile foreign power for materials essential to our technology and defense industries is a vulnerability that can’t be ignored.
The Trump administration understands this threat clearly. The President’s America First agenda has emphasized the urgency of reshoring manufacturing, revitalizing American industry, and securing supply chains independent of adversarial nations. But, as recent events highlight, the clock is ticking.
Congress must act swiftly to support initiatives aimed at developing domestic production capabilities for rare earths and critical minerals. This is not about isolationism; it’s about self-reliance. It’s about safeguarding American sovereignty and security. Furthermore, our allies must recognize the dangers of their own dependencies and join us in building resilient supply chains.
The Chinese Communist Party knows how strategic these minerals are. Beijing has weaponized trade before and will undoubtedly do so again. As Senator Young rightly pointed out, China’s mineral dominance allows it to exert “raw geopolitical pressure” on the global stage. This is a threat America cannot afford to underestimate.
President Trump’s policies have already started to shift the conversation towards economic patriotism and national security. Now, more than ever, it’s critical that we accelerate these efforts. America must stand firm, secure our critical mineral supply chains, and never again allow our adversaries to hold our economy hostage.
China’s latest moves are a clear signal: the battle for strategic minerals is only just beginning, and America must be ready to fight—and win.
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