China Employs Rare Earths in Economic Warfare, Weaponizing Supply Chains, Impacting EVs and Drones in Trade War with US

China has increasingly leveraged its dominant position in the supply of rare earth elements as a strategic tool in its ongoing trade tensions with the United States. Rare earths, critical components in a wide range of technologies from consumer electronics like iPhones to military applications such as missiles, have become central to what experts describe as a new form of economic warfare. This approach involves the deliberate restriction of rare earth supplies, sending a clear message about China's control over key future technologies. While this tactic is viewed by some as a novel trade war strategy unique to China, others note that the weaponization of supply chains is not unprecedented, citing the US's earlier actions in semiconductor supply chains. Analysts warn that Western nations remain largely unprepared for this challenge, with calls for urgent policy responses to avoid potential disruptions to critical industries including electric vehicles and defense systems.