this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2025
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468
China has stopped exporting rare earths to everyone, not just the U.S., cutting off critical materials for tech, autos, aerospace, and defense (fortune.com)
submitted 2 days ago by floofloof to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 109 points 2 days ago (4 children)

That‘s their default, though. It’s not the first time they‘re acting up as an unreliable business partner. I mean they bought all those rare earth mines across the globe for a reason and it‘s not to just stick it to the USA. They‘re both bullies.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 11 hours ago)

that isn't even a comparison. the fact china stopped sale of minerals doesn't put it with equal footing with the terror the us does.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Trump started it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

China has been doing this for years.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

They've been completely cutting off these specific rare earth metals for years?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

They've been buying up and hording rare earth metals for years to secure their own manufacture and as a form of soft power.

From 2011:

That’s because China now controls over 95% of the world’s supplies of rare earth metals, and has placed curbs on rare earth exports, creating a resource stranglehold. China slashed export quotas by 72% in the second half of last year, and imposed a further 35% cut in the first half of 2011 from the year-ago level. As a result prices for some rare earths have jumped more than 1,000%.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

So to the question I asked... No. They have not been cutting off these specific rare metals for years. They have restricted the supply to raise prices.

Thanks for confirming that china has not been completely cutting off supply to these rare metals for years.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) (1 children)

China has been playing a long game with rare earth metals. You asked a specific question, the answer of which wouldn't really explain anything. I gave you a longer answer that gives a fuller picture.

Trump and company were fools to trigger China like this.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 minutes ago

I agree. Also. China, previous to this point, didn't completely cut off these specific rare earth metals.

[–] [email protected] 37 points 2 days ago

yup. it's natural to see your foe's foe as an ally. always be wary.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 days ago (1 children)

They're both bullies.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 days ago

Great analogy. China and the US are the Kaiju, and the rest of the world are the people living in the cities we fight in.