America reacts to the threat from China regarding rare earth imports

China “warned” the Trump administration earlier this month that it may restrict the export of rare earth minerals if the U.S. government continues to escalate the trade war. Though such mineral resources are plentiful, the costly refining process and the pollution generated by their extraction has prevented the states from investing in the field. However, America responded this Tuesday, quote, “the federal government will take unprecedented action to ensure that the United States will not be cut off from these vital materials,” which might well exacerbate the already deteriorating bilateral relationship.