Category: International Business and Trade

Economy and TradingInternational Business and Trade

Rare Earth Crisis: U.S. Sleepwalked Into China Dependency, Warns Top Economist

Top economist Jeremy Siegel warns the U.S. has sleepwalked into a rare earth crisis as China tightens export controls. The Wharton professor calls the lack of strategic reserves “scandalous” amid growing supply chain threats to defense and technology sectors.

Renowned Wharton economist Jeremy Siegel has labeled America’s rare earth elements vulnerability as “scandalous” following China’s sweeping new export controls that threaten global supply chains. The warning comes as China tightens its grip on the critical minerals powering everything from advanced weapons to electric vehicles, exposing what Siegel calls a major U.S. security failure.

Strategic Blind Spot in Rare Earth Dependence

by Natalie Brooks
Economy and TradingInternational Business and Trade

U.S. Stock Futures Rise As Trump Softens China Tone After Tariff Threat

U.S. stock futures gained momentum after former President Trump moderated his rhetoric toward China following recent tariff threats. The shift comes amid market volatility and China’s firm response to potential trade measures. Global markets show mixed reactions to the evolving trade tensions.

U.S. stock futures climbed higher Monday morning as former President Donald Trump appeared to soften his stance toward China following his recent threat of 100% tariffs. The market-positive shift came through Trump’s Truth Social post where he struck a more conciliatory tone toward Chinese leadership, marking a significant departure from his earlier aggressive trade rhetoric that had rattled global markets.

Market Reactions To Shifting Trade Rhetoric

by Natalie Brooks
Energy PolicyInternational Business and Trade

EU Faces Rare Earths Crisis as China Escalates Trade Conflict

China’s sweeping restrictions on rare earths exports have triggered alarm across European industries and governments. The EU faces critical supply chain disruptions as trade tensions between Washington and Beijing intensify, with European officials urgently coordinating responses.

The European Union faces a rare earths supply crisis as China implements sweeping export restrictions, weaponizing Europe’s dependency on critical minerals amid escalating US-China trade tensions. The move has sent shockwaves through global semiconductor supply chains and triggered emergency coordination among EU officials, with businesses facing weekslong delays in crucial shipments according to industry monitoring reports.

China’s Strategic Export Restrictions

by Darren Holt
International Business and TradeSupplychain

U.S. Supply Chain Faces Tariff Headwinds as New Port Fees Loom

The U.S. supply chain faces new challenges as additional tariffs on Chinese-made port equipment and revised vessel fee structures take effect. These measures, including 150% tariffs on gantry cranes and tonnage-based charges, could increase import costs and reduce export competitiveness. Industry experts warn of significant impacts on businesses and consumers.

The U.S. supply chain is bracing for significant cost increases as new tariffs on Chinese-made port equipment and revised fee structures for vessels take effect, creating additional headwinds for importers and exporters alike. With the Office of the United States Trade Representative implementing these changes, businesses face layered tariffs that could reach 270% on essential equipment like gantry cranes and components, compounding existing trade restrictions. These measures, set against a backdrop of declining container volumes, threaten to make imports more expensive and exports less competitive globally.

New Tariff Structure for Port Equipment

by Natalie Brooks
International Business and TradeMining and Drilling

U.S. Rare Earth Stocks Surge Amid Trade Dispute Over Critical Minerals

Rare earth mining stocks surged dramatically as U.S.-China trade tensions intensified over critical minerals. The Defense Department accelerates $1 billion stockpiling initiative while JPMorgan commits $10 billion to national security sectors. Market analysts see sustained momentum in domestic rare earth production.

U.S. rare earth mining stocks experienced dramatic gains in early trading Monday as trade tensions escalated between Washington and Beijing over critical minerals export controls. The surge followed President Donald Trump’s threats of retaliatory tariffs against China’s strict export restrictions on rare earth elements, highlighting the growing strategic importance of domestic supply chains for national security and advanced technologies.

Market Reaction to Trade Tensions

by Darren Holt
Economy and TradingInternational Business and Trade

Asia-Pacific Markets Fall as China-U.S. Trade Tensions Escalate

Asia-Pacific markets faced declines as China-U.S. trade tensions intensified following Trump’s tariff threats and China’s rare earth export controls. Investors monitor potential economic fallout across the region as trade war fears resurface.

Asia-Pacific markets were poised for significant declines Monday as renewed trade tensions between China and the United States rattled investor confidence across the region. The escalation follows President Donald Trump’s vow to impose punishing new retaliatory tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting a strong response from Chinese officials who stated they are “not afraid of” a potential trade war.

Latest Developments in China-U.S. Trade Relations

by Natalie Brooks