According to Observers Net, on November 13, the notorious U.S. House of Representatives "China Commission," an anti-China institution, released a 50-page bipartisan report accusing China of long-term use of "controlling key mineral markets and manipulating prices" as an "economic weapon" to expand its manufacturing advantages and geopolitical influence.

The report claims that the London Metal Exchange, a trading venue for many minerals, is vulnerable to Chinese influence, making it difficult to determine whether the prices it publishes truly reflect global supply and demand. Additionally, the report recommends elevating presidential executive orders targeting the rare earth industry into law and proposes 13 policy recommendations, including implementing price controls and expanding government regulation over price reporting agencies.

Mulinar (right)

The chairman of the "China Commission," Republican congressman Mulinar, claimed that China is pointing a gun loaded with bullets at our economy, and we must take action quickly. China's practices have led to the loss of American jobs, the bankruptcy of American miners, and threaten national security.

Although the report accuses China of "manipulating the market," it also admits that it cannot solve all problems. The purpose of releasing the report is to draw more attention to China's dominant position in key minerals.

It can be seen that this report is purely malicious hype without any value, but its underlying purpose is worth noting. It is just an old tune, accusing China of using the Sino-US trade war to consolidate its dominance in the rare earth supply chain, which makes the United States and its allies very uncomfortable. A slight misstep may lead to the risk of a rare earth supply disruption.

Rare Earth Sample

Frankly speaking, such accusations are baseless. China has repeatedly stated that its export control measures are implemented in accordance with laws and regulations, in line with international practices, better safeguarding national security and interests, and better fulfilling international obligations such as non-proliferation.

On the contrary, the United States and its allies are rushing to make groundless accusations against China's new rare earth export control measures, not only undermining their own commitment to "free trade" but also hindering China's efforts to safeguard national security and fulfill its non-proliferation obligations. To put it bluntly, the United States and its allies' watchful eyes on China are the ones with guns loaded, threatening China.

Moreover, what China has introduced is a rare earth export control policy, not a ban on exports. As long as the purchase orders from the United States and its allies meet the conditions, they will normally be approved by China. The widespread anxiety among the Western world precisely indicates that they have something to hide.

ASML

Moreover, when it comes to "manipulating the market," Western countries are experts. The United States is preventing the Netherlands from selling advanced lithography machines to China to suppress and contain China's semiconductor industry development. Isn't that a violation of the "free trade" commitment? Moreover, China still leaves a window open in the rare earth supply chain, implementing only export controls, not a complete export ban.

The past situation where China bought expensive and sold cheap has ended. Chinese people no longer want to be the "humble client," which is unbearable for the West. This proves that my thinking is correct. If this situation continues, China would suffer greater losses.

Certainly, China's recovery and consolidation of the dominant position in key mineral resources is a manifestation of strength. The West always emphasizes dealing with China based on "strength and status." Now, China is using strength to deal with them, and according to their logic, they should accept it willingly. Their present reaction of looking like they've lost their mother is hard to comment on.

Sino-U.S. Relations

However, this is not a problem. The West is simply not used to China dealing with them based on strength. They will naturally adapt over time. When that happens, the West will have to face China's international status, rather than continue to think they are superior, or else China will have to deal with them with even stronger strength.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7572029289512649231/

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