China Defends Rare Earth Controls Amidst Trump Tariff Threat

As tensions escalate between the US and China, Beijing is defending its recent export restrictions on rare earth elements while asserting national security as the primary motivation behind the actions. The Chinese government claims these measures are not retaliatory against US tariffs, instead stating that they aim to avoid a full-blown trade war, although they are not afraid of one if necessary. The US under President Trump has reimposed 100% tariffs on goods from China, significantly escalating the already tense confrontation.