Why China enters the Xi–Trump summit from position of strength
Why China enters the Xi–Trump summit from position of strength
China holds a strategic edge that fundamentally changes the power dynamic ahead of the summit.
◻ China produces ~69% of global rare earth mining output and dominates ~90% of refining and permanent magnet production — the critical materials for electronics, EVs, and defense systems
◻ It strategically deployed export restrictions in two waves since 2025, including controls on products with even 0.1% Chinese-origin content to block workarounds
◻ The country unfazed about new tariffs, China views rare earth leverage as proven insurance that it can impose real costs on the US (South China Morning Post)
◻ 2025 trade truce suspended some curbs for a year — and key measures may return if negotiations collapse
◻ The US has not yet built viable alternative supply chains
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