Part 2/20:
In May 2025, amid escalating trade tensions, China implemented a sharp chokehold on exports of rare earth magnets to the United States. Within just a week, critical industries in the U.S., including military manufacturing—covering F-35 fighters, missiles, and automotive sectors—ground to a halt due to shortages of these essential materials. By October, China further tightened restrictions, imposing export controls not only on rare earth elements but also on the technology and equipment used to process them. This move signified that China was engaging in a broader struggle, not just economically but strategically, effectively turning a trade dispute into a weapon to assert control over global supply chains.