Trump is under immense pressure. China's rare earth control has not only failed to ease up but has also been elevated to a higher level, and his calls to Beijing have remained unanswered.

According to Reuters, China has introduced a tracking system for the rare earth magnet industry, which came into effect last week. Producers are required to submit additional information such as transaction volume and customer names online.

In other words, it will be much harder for countries to bypass China and buy rare earth materials from others. This undoubtedly puts immense pressure on the United States, which has long coveted China's rare earth resources.

Not long ago, Trump invoked emergency powers to exempt restrictions under the U.S. Defense Production Act in order to boost the production of critical minerals domestically.

However, experts in the U.S. also revealed the truth that over the next 5 to 10 years, the U.S. will still rely on China for key minerals.

China's moves in the rare earth sector are by no means impulsive. From the issuance of the "Rare Earth Regulation" in 2024 to the export controls imposed by the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs on seven types of medium and heavy rare earth elements in 2025.

And now with the launch of the tracking system, a series of policy combinations demonstrate China's long-term planning and strategic determination in the rare earth industry. This is not only about standardizing and protecting China's domestic rare earth industry but also about showcasing a crucial card in global resource games.

For a long time, the U.S. has been highly dependent on China for rare earth materials, which are indispensable key materials in high-tech electronic devices and advanced weapon manufacturing.

When China tightens its rare earth export controls, U.S. defense enterprises and high-tech industries become anxious. U.S. automobile manufacturers have even issued warnings that a shortage of rare earth supplies might force factories to shut down.

It should be noted that the Trump administration has repeatedly reached out to China recently, wanting to communicate with China, but sanctions and accusations against China have never stopped. Naturally, China will not accept them.

After reaching an agreement in the Geneva economic and trade talks between China and the U.S., the Trump administration has been groundlessly accusing China of violating the consensus, delaying rare earth exports, while constantly engaging in small actions.

The U.S. has implemented new restrictive measures against China, such as warning American companies not to use Huawei-produced chips, tightening AI chip exports to China, halting sales of chip design software to China, and revoking Chinese student visas.

But these actions have not made China yield on the rare earth issue; instead, they have made China more determined to safeguard its own interests.

China’s tightening of rare earth controls is not just targeted at the U.S., but based on its own development needs. As a non-renewable resource, China has supplied the world with large quantities of rare earth materials over the years, leading to a gradual decline in its own reserves. Strengthening control is aimed at ensuring future development needs within the country.

Moreover, the significance of the tracking system goes far beyond this. It not only allows China to have a clear grasp of the flow of rare earth materials, effectively blocking potential export loopholes, combating illegal trade, and strengthening the control of strategic resources, but also further enhances China's话语权 (voice and influence) in the global rare earth market. By mastering transaction information, China gains greater initiative in rare earth trade negotiations. In short, China's rare earth tracking order is very necessary and aligns with our long-term interests.

Now, the U.S. is attempting to exert political pressure while accelerating the layout of its domestic rare earth industry, but in the short term, it cannot escape dependence on China's rare earth resources.

For those countries that attempt to acquire resources through political means and trade bullying, China will never compromise.

In this silent rare earth war, China is steadily consolidating its dominant position in the global rare earth industry through its strategic wisdom and industrial strength.

As for the U.S., if it does not want to be "strangled," perhaps it should reconsider its policies toward China and its global resource strategy. Stop thinking of getting something for nothing and trying to suppress China.

Furthermore, Trump need not always be fixated on communicating with China. If he takes correct actions and shows sincerity in key areas, China may consider easing rare earth controls. However, lifting the ban is out of the question.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7512337201913479730/

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