China’s control over rare earth supply chains gives President Xi Jinping significant economic leverage ahead of a planned summit with US President Donald Trump in Beijing next month, according to Bloomberg Economics. The analysis estimates around 4% of US GDP, or roughly $1.2 trillion, is tied to industries reliant on rare earth inputs, many of which lack viable substitutes. Bloomberg Economics said some materials act as “golden screws,” where disruption could force production stoppages or lengt

China’s control over rare earth supply chains gives President Xi Jinping significant economic leverage ahead of a planned summit with US President Donald Trump in Beijing next month, according to Bloomberg Economics. The analysis estimates around 4% of US GDP, or roughly $1.2 trillion, is tied to industries reliant on rare earth inputs, many of which lack viable substitutes. Bloomberg Economics said some materials act as “golden screws,” where disruption could force production stoppages or lengthy adjustments. The summit, now scheduled for May 14–15, was delayed from March due to the Iran conflict.