China holds a near-monopoly in the processing of the elements crucial for making everything from smartphones to fighter jets.

Last week, China’s Ministry of Commerce published a document that went by the name of “announcement No. 62 of 2025”.

But this wasn’t just any bureaucratic missive. It has rocked the fragile tariffs truce with the US.

The announcement detailed sweeping new curbs on its rare earth exports, in a move that tightens Beijing’s grip on the global supply of the critical minerals - and reminded Donald Trump just how much leverage China holds in the trade war.

China has a near-monopoly in the processing of rare earths - crucial for the production of everything from smartphones to fighter jets.

  • SpaceCowboy@lemmy.caEnglish
    21·
    13 hours ago

    Yes they will charge you more, because there’s toxic waste involved and it can be expensive to handle in an environmentally friendly way. It’s cheaper to refine rare earths by just dumping the toxic waste on the ground, which is what China does and it’s how they cornered the market.

    This is one of the cases where tariffs are good. Produce the rare earths the right way (even if it costs more) and slap tariffs on products that are produced in ways that damages the environment (as China does).

    • maskquerade@ttrpg.networkEnglish
      2·
      13 hours ago

      Yeah, you have no idea what you’re talking about.

      I guess you just watched an American influencer and assumed everything he told you was correct.

      Try to understand that those people are for entertainment only. They won’t educate you on anything and make money off of whipping you up into a frenzy.

      • SpaceCowboy@lemmy.caEnglish
        31·
        13 hours ago

        Actually, I got the information about China’s handling of toxic waste from processing rare earths from Australian news (ABC).

        Where do you get your information from? Some influencer on TikTok? Those people are for entertainment only and consider who’s choosing which content you see.