If international trade is a game of chess, China has the U.S. in check — with few good options for the next move.
Why it matters: The trade war has exposed just how deeply the U.S. economy is at the mercy of an accident of geology — China’s supply of the rare earth minerals that power our modern high-tech society.
The big picture: China’s control of the global rare earths supply has left the U.S. playing defense in a trade war of its own design.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.
