2 h. ago Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

During his Southeast Asia trip in October, US President Donald Trump sealed deals with Malaysia and Thailand on the same day – both aimed at securing and diversifying America’s supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed to step up cooperation on building and expanding critical minerals supply chains, according to a White House statement. They also agreed to strengthen the security of critical minerals and rare earths supplies in...

Politics

25 h. ago Trump praises DR Congo and Rwanda leaders, who sign his deal as fighting continues

US President Donald Trump praised the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda for their courage as they signed a deal on Thursday aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Congo and opening the region’s critical mineral reserves to the US government and American companies. The moment offered Trump – who has repeatedly and with a measure of exaggeration boasted of brokering peace in some of the world’s most entrenched conflicts – another chance to tout himself as a dealmaker...

Politics

25 h. ago Trump praises African leaders, who sign his deal as fighting continues

US President Donald Trump praised the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda for their courage as they signed a deal on Thursday aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Congo and opening the region’s critical mineral reserves to the US government and American companies. The moment offered Trump – who has repeatedly and with a measure of exaggeration boasted of brokering peace in some of the world’s most entrenched conflicts – another chance to tout himself as a dealmaker...

Politics

61 h. ago Britain vows to ‘wrest control’ of critical mineral supplies from China

Britain vows to ‘wrest control’ of critical mineral supplies from China  politico.eu

Politics

63 h. ago U.S. searches for critical minerals as push to counter China's dominance grows

U.S. searches for critical minerals as push to counter China's dominance grows  NPR

Politics

7 d. ago Chinese homeless man fakes wealth, hires women for companionship, lives luxury life

A homeless Chinese man deceived others by posing as a wealthy individual and, over a span of 10 days, managed to “hire” five women for companionship, using their money to fund visits to high-end establishments, buy new clothes, and even acquire the latest smartphone. The scam came to light in August when police in Putuo District, Shanghai, received a report from a woman using the alias Liu Qian. She claimed that she had been swindled by a 36-year-old man surnamed Chen, who pretended to be a...

Society

8 d. ago China Briefing 27 November 2025: COP30 wraps; Climate and critical minerals at G20; Coal use up

China Briefing 27 November 2025: COP30 wraps; Climate and critical minerals at G20; Coal use up  Carbon Brief

Politics

8 d. ago Tesla cofounder leads U.S. ‘urban mines’ to compete with China in battery recycling, critical minerals

Tesla cofounder leads U.S. ‘urban mines’ to compete with China in battery recycling, critical minerals  Fortune

Politics

8 d. ago Corrupt Chinese officials hold sham votes to approve projects, state media warns

Corrupt local officials in China are manipulating collective decision-making procedures for personal gain and to mask their activities, state media has warned. A report published on Wednesday highlighted examples of behind-the-scenes manipulation where subordinates were told how to vote in advance, and of collusion between corrupt officials or sham public consultations. “In recent years, to standardise collective decision-making, systematic procedures and requirements were introduced in many...

Events

1 week ago UK launches critical mineral strategy to cut dependence on China

UK launches critical mineral strategy to cut dependence on China  MSN

Politics

1 week ago China, allies drive agenda at G20 South Africa summit amid US no

The G20 summit in Johannesburg delivered major wins for African countries on debt, climate and critical minerals processing, but the progress was undercut by an unprecedented US boycott. The United States will host the event next year when it takes over the rotating Group of 20 presidency. But when the summit ended on Sunday, there was no US leader present for the ceremonial handover. With the US a no-show, China and its allies drove the consensus on a Global South agenda that has dominated G20...

Politics

1 week ago UK launches critical minerals strategy to reduce dependency on China

UK launches critical minerals strategy to reduce dependency on China  The Guardian

Politics

2 w. ago US lawmakers press for new tactics to challenge China’s grip on rare earths

US lawmakers on Wednesday called for a change in Washington’s strategy to evade China’s chokehold on rare earth mineral supplies, arguing that new approaches are needed in parallel with President Donald Trump’s efforts to speed up domestic production. Proposals to dismantle the chokepoint – including new technologies and development of components that do not require the critical minerals as inputs – were presented during a hearing of the US House Select Committee on China. The suggestions came...

Politics

2 w. ago US races to secure China rare earths deal as worries over chokeholds linger

The administration of US President Donald Trump hopes to confirm a deal to secure rare earth supplies from China by Thanksgiving, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview, framing the agreement as vital to shoring up America’s supply chains. The remarks came as the Council on Foreign Relations, a US-based think tank, warned in a new report that the US’ reliance on Chinese critical minerals remained a major strategic vulnerability that Washington needed to address. A rare earths deal...

Politics

2 w. ago German Finance Chief Asks China for Access to Critical Minerals

German Finance Chief Asks China for Access to Critical Minerals  Bloomberg Law News

Politics

2 w. ago EU recalibrates on China as it seeks rare earths breakthrough

Under pressure from Beijing’s chokehold on rare earths and the simmering feud over chipmaker Nexperia, EU officials have been asked to tone down their public rhetoric on Beijing, even as the bloc moves forward aggressively with its de-risking plans. Brussels is in “de-escalation mode”, several official sources confirmed, as it looks to convince China to issue more licences for the export of the critical minerals vital to hi-tech manufacturing and ensure the supply of chips from beleaguered...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Don’t mention the war’: EU recalibrates China discourse amid rare earths deal

Under pressure from Beijing’s chokehold on rare earths and the simmering feud over chipmaker Nexperia, EU officials have been asked to tone down their public rhetoric on Beijing, even as the bloc moves forward aggressively with its de-risking plans. Brussels is in “de-escalation mode”, several official sources confirmed, as it looks to convince China to issue more licences for the export of the critical minerals vital to hi-tech manufacturing and ensure the supply of chips from beleaguered...

Events

2 w. ago ‘Top secret’ White House memo claims Alibaba is helping Chinese military target US: report

‘Top secret’ White House memo claims Alibaba is helping Chinese military target US: report  New York Post

Events

2 w. ago Asean, China, Japan and South Korea hold ‘transformative’ critical minerals opportunity

Southeast Asian economies, along with China, Japan and South Korea, have a “transformative” opportunity to enter the world’s critical mineral supply chain, said Yasuto Watanabe, Director of the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO). Critical minerals – essential raw materials for the production of hi-tech gadgets, cars and aerospace equipment – will make the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) supply chain “more resilient and sustainable”, said Watanabe, who also...

Politics

3 w. ago House Committee: China Manipulated Critical Minerals Prices for Decades

House Committee: China Manipulated Critical Minerals Prices for Decades  National Association of Manufacturers - NAM

Politics