President Trump is racing to respond to a major escalation of the U.S.-China trade war, with the American supply of critical technology hanging in the balance.

This week, Trump administration officials announced plans to take a more active role in ensuring access to “rare earths” — minerals that are key components in several important technologies.

These rare earth elements are essential for manufacturing everything from smartphones to military equipment, making their secure supply a national priority amid ongoing trade tensions with China.
https://thehill.com/business/5561146-china-restricts-rare-earth-exports/