The US president has struck quite a few offers in his tour of Asia this week.
Since coming again to the White Home earlier this 12 months, President Donald Trump has made uncommon earth minerals considered one of his prime priorities.
He’s targeted on securing sufficient provide for the USA economic system.
In March, Trump went so far as signing an govt order, the place he invoked wartime powers to extend the manufacturing of uncommon earths.
And this week, he signed a number of agreements with quite a few Asian international locations, within the hopes of having access to the minerals.
That is all to counter China’s international dominance on this sector and Beijing’s latest restrictions on uncommon earth exports.
So, why are these minerals so essential for the US economic system? And might Trump break China’s monopoly?
Presenter: Bernard Smith
Friends:
Brian Wong – Assistant Professor in Philosophy on the College of Hong Kong.
Gracelin Baskaran – Mining Economist and Director of the Crucial Minerals Safety program at Middle for Strategic and Worldwide Research.
Huiyao Wang – President and Founding father of Middle for China and Globalization.
Printed On 29 Oct 2025
