Here's how Trump can hit China where it really hurts as Beijing's rare earths gamble could backfire

The Trump administration insists it holds the upper hand as trade friction with Beijing has reignited over its sweeping rare-earths export controls.

While President Donald Trump’s initial response was to announce an additional 100% tariff and software restrictions on China, which controls more than 90% of the world’s processed rare earths and rare earth magnets, he previously has alluded to harsher measures that could come into play.

“But the U.S. has Monopoly positions also, much stronger and more far reaching than China’s,” he warned in a Truth Social post before his tariff move. “I have just not chosen to use them, there was never a reason for me to do so — UNTIL NOW!”

Trump has since toned down his rhetoric and even acknowledged that his planned tariffs are not sustainable, while