That same day, US President-elect Donald Trump laid claim to Greenland -- rich in rare-earth minerals including gallium and germanium -- on similar grounds. Increased Chinese-US trade tensions over the past month highlight an intensifying geostrategic battle over high technology with military applications and the key metals governing its supply chains.
China will likely institute additional export restrictions in response to further US controls targeting Chinese strategic industries.
Beijing may increasingly exercise its controls through extraterritorial jurisdiction, or simply ban exports if that proves more practicable.
China’s bans may hit the US automotive industry, which is already struggling with the electric vehicle transition, especially hard.
