China Export Controls Trigger U.S. Warning of Supply‑Chain Decoupling

Summary: The U.S. has warned that China’s planned stricter export controls on rare‑earth minerals may force a global economic decoupling from China. The move escalates trade tensions and intensifies focus on supply‑chain vulnerabilities in critical tech sectors.

Detailed Report: The U.S. Treasury Secretary has publicly warned that China’s newly proposed export controls on rare‑earth elements and other critical minerals represent a significant risk to global supply chains. During a joint press conference, he stated that if China proceeds, many countries will seek to “decouple” from reliance on Chinese‑dominated supply networks. China’s controls would require licences for goods containing rare‑earth materials, a move U.S. officials call economic coercion. U.S. industry stakeholders note that rare earths are essential in electronics, batteries, AI hardware, and defence systems. A meeting between President Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping is expected at the upcoming APEC summit—and observers say this issue may dominate discussions.