mo4ch:>What are rare earth metals & why they are China's ‘nuclear option’ in trade war with US | Mo4ch News

The escalating US-China trade conflict has raised concerns about the measures each side could use in their fight, including Beijing’s option to restrict exports of rare earth metals.The economic measure is dubbed as one of Beijing’s nuclear options in its battle with Washington due to the fact that China is the top producer of rare earth metals and holds the largest reserves.Rare earths are “certainly weapons that China can use in its trade negotiation arsenal against US President Donald Trump,” independent political analyst Alessandro Bruno told RT.Also on rt.comChina ‘seriously considering’ restricting rare earth exports to US – Global Times chief“To demonstrate their strategic importance, rare earths are among the few Chinese items that Trump (or his officials) has excluded from the list of items subject to extra tariffs/duties,” the expert said, adding that “China understands the strategic importance of rare earths and it establishes export quotas.”The United States relies on Chin…