In response to U.S. tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump's administration, China has tightened export controls on seven rare earth elements and permanent magnets since April 2025, requiring licenses for outbound shipments. This move has disrupted global supply chains critical to defense, energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, and advanced technologies. Germany, a major consumer of these materials for its automotive and technology sectors, has expressed concerns over potential supply shortages, with many firms reporting dwindling inventories and urging the European Union to engage Beijing. Analysts highlight that the U.S. has become heavily dependent on China for military-grade rare earths due to decades of neoliberal free trade policies. Meanwhile, African nations and blocs, led by the African Development Bank, are exploring a non-circulating currency backed by critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and copper. This initiative aims to leverage Africa's mineral wealth to reshape global investment flows and assert mineral sovereignty amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding critical mineral supplies.