Part 2/13:
The escalation was further amplified by Beijing's tightening of export controls on rare earth minerals and magnets—critical components used in everything from smartphones to military hardware. Washington quickly characterized China’s move as a "power grab," expressing concern that these controls, which Beijing claims are licensing measures rather than an outright ban, could be weaponized to pressure the US and its allies. In particular, the US’s reliance on Chinese-processed rare earths—roughly 90% of global capacity—has led policymakers to worry about strategic vulnerabilities, especially amid growing tensions.