WASHINGTON — As President Trump’s administration pushes tariffs on Chinese imports to an unprecedented 55%, one exception stands out in the escalating trade war: rare earth metals.

Even amid rising tensions, the U.S. continues to import rare earths from China—a quiet but critical dependency that most Americans don’t even know exists.

But in reality, rare earth metals are the invisible backbone of American industry, technology, and defense—and for now, the U.S. simply can’t afford to go without them.

What Are Rare Earths, and Why Do They Matter?

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metallic elements used in everything from consumer electronics to military weaponry. Despite their name, they’re relatively common—but hard to extract and even harder to refine.

They’re essential in:

• Smartphones and laptops

• Electric vehicle motors and batteries

• Wind turbines and solar panels

• F-35 fighter jets and missile guidance systems

• Nuclear submarines and satellite communication systems

If a device needs power, precision, or speed, there’s a good chance it relies on rare earths.

China’s Dominance: The Strategic Choke Point

Although the U.S. has rare earth deposits, it lacks the industrial capacity to process them at scale.

📊 China processes over 80% of the world’s rare earth supply—and has done so for decades.

This gives Beijing extraordinary leverage. Even with trade friction intensifying, the U.S. is dependent on China’s refining capacity to keep its tech and defense sectors running.

The National Security Angle

Rare earths aren’t just an economic issue—they’re a national security imperative.

Without these metals, the U.S. would struggle to:

• Produce advanced military equipment

• Maintain its renewable energy transition

• Compete in high-end electronics manufacturing

• Defend supply chains in a crisis

In short: no rare earths, no modern military. No modern economy.

Can the U.S. Replace China? Not Yet.

While efforts to restart rare earth mining and processing in the U.S. have accelerated—including projects in California and Texas—experts say it could take 5 to 10 years to build a fully independent supply chain.

That’s why, despite aggressive tariffs and political rhetoric, the U.S. has carved out an exception in the trade deal for rare earths.

Because without them, key sectors of the American economy would come to a standstill.

The U.S.–China relationship is defined today by tension and competition.
But when it comes to rare earths, cooperation still exists beneath the surface—because it has to.

Until America develops its own full-spectrum rare earth processing industry, it will remain strategically dependent on its biggest rival.

And in global power politics, few resources are more quietly powerful than rare earths.

WASHINGTON D.C. — In a decisive and controversial move, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States has finalized a long-anticipated trade agreement with China, one that dramatically raises tariffs on Chinese imports to 55%. The announcement, made during an afternoon press conference at the White House, marked a significant escalation in the administration’s confrontational economic stance toward Beijing and ignited immediate reactions from global markets, economists, and diplomatic observers.

Standing behind the presidential seal, Trump declared that the U.S. had secured a commitment from China to supply magnets and rare earth minerals—critical resources for American industries ranging from defense to electric vehicles. In exchange, the U.S. has agreed to restore access for Chinese students to attend American colleges and universities, a concession framed by the administration as “part of what was agreed to.” Trump characterized the deal as a necessary correction to decades of “bad trade policy,” adding that “China will now play fair.”

This announcement follows months of tariff escalations and trade friction. Trump’s earlier measures included new tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, actions he justified as part of his administration’s efforts to curtail illegal immigration and combat the fentanyl epidemic. The China deal echoes those motives, with the president specifically linking the increased tariffs to a broader crackdown on Chinese-origin synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl. “We will not tolerate countries that look the other way while poison floods into our communities,” he said, tying economic policy directly to the nation’s ongoing opioid crisis.

Markets responded swiftly. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 347 points following the announcement before partially recovering later in the day. Technology stocks saw sharp fluctuations amid concerns about continued disruption in global supply chains, particularly in sectors reliant on Chinese manufacturing. Conversely, shares in defense contractors and domestic mining firms climbed on expectations of increased demand for U.S.-based rare earth processing.

While Beijing has yet to issue a full official response, early reports from Chinese state media describe the deal as a “strategic compromise.” A brief statement from China’s Ministry of Commerce noted that the agreement was necessary to “preserve bilateral stability,” but hinted at possible retaliation should “unilateral pressure” continue. Analysts noted that the rare earths concession—long seen as a Chinese leverage point—was a surprising inclusion and may reflect economic pressures inside China’s own manufacturing base.

The political calculus behind the agreement is equally complex. With the 2026 election season already warming up, Trump’s move appears designed to reinforce his brand of “economic nationalism.” By tying trade to border security and the drug crisis, the administration is weaving a broader narrative that resonates with his core supporters. Critics, however, warn that such high tariffs may boomerang back on American consumers, driving up costs for everyday goods and further straining the post-pandemic economy.

Whether the deal will ultimately strengthen American industries or isolate them from essential trade partners remains to be seen. What is certain is that the Trump administration’s trade strategy continues to reject conventional diplomacy in favor of aggressive, transaction-based outcomes. As Trump concluded his press event, he framed the moment as a turning point: “This isn’t just a trade deal—it’s the end of an era of being taken advantage of.”

Colombian Senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay was critically injured in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Bogotá’s Fontibón neighborhood on Saturday. The 39-year-old, a member of the conservative Democratic Centre party, was shot multiple times, including twice in the head and once in the knee. He was immediately transported to Fundación Santa Fe hospital, where he underwent emergency neurosurgical and vascular procedures. His wife, María Claudia Tarazona, has called for prayers as he “fights for his life.”

A 15-year-old suspect was apprehended at the scene with a firearm. Authorities are investigating potential accomplices and have offered a reward for information leading to the capture of all those responsible.

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders across Colombia and Latin America. President Gustavo Petro expressed his condolences, stating, “Respect life, that’s the red line.” Former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez also condemned the act, calling it an attack on “the hope of the country.”

Miguel Uribe Turbay is the son of journalist Diana Turbay, who was kidnapped and killed in 1991 during a botched rescue operation by the Medellín Cartel. He is also the grandson of former President Julio César Turbay Ayala. Uribe Turbay announced his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election in March 2025.

The incident has reignited concerns over political violence in Colombia, reminiscent of the 1990s when several presidential candidates were assassinated. Authorities have vowed to ensure a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice.