China’s rare-earth squeeze, explained: What Beijing wants—and how Washington may respond

China tightened export controls on rare earths and related inputs, signalling it is prepared to weaponise its grip on materials that feed chips, EVs, wind turbines and precision weapons. This wasn’t just technocratic housekeeping. It was timed to force the issue onto President Trump’s desk after US agencies widened blacklists on Chinese firms—moves Beijing read as backsliding from recent détente. The message landed: within days, trade dominated the White House conversation again, even as the Gaza ceasefire and a domestic shutdown competed for attention, the New York Times reported.

Domestic optics ahead of a pivotal Party huddle

The timing also played to audiences at home. With a key Communist Party conclave on deck, Xi Jinping needed to project control and resolve. Rare earths are one