The Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Thursday announced more restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals, crucial for manufacturing semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), green energy products, and other key technologies.

The move was universally seen by analysts as preparing the battlefield for an expected trade meeting between dictator Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump.

China is the dominant worldwide supplier of most of the 17 elements known as rare earths. Mines controlled by China produce about 70 percent of the world’s supply of the minerals, and Beijing controls 90% of the world’s processing capacity.

Processing rare earths is difficult and expensive, with enormous start-up costs. China has been shrewd about using its market dominance to make it very difficult fo

See Full Page