Donald Trump Hits Back Against China’s Tariff Retaliation

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that launched a national security investigation into the U.S. reliance on imports of critical minerals, after China suspended exports of certain rare earth metals and magnets.

Trump’s move heralds an even tighter crackdown on Chinese imports as his administration seeks to squeeze China out of swathes of global trade, pressuring its partners to choose between Beijing and Washington.

China’s suspension is part of a series of retaliations against Trump’s tariffs in an escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Trump has excluded China from a pause on his reciprocal tariffs.

The White House noted that China had already banned exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other “key high-tech materials with potential military applications.”

“This investigation will assess vulnerabilities in supply chains, the economic impact of foreign market distortions, and potential trade remedies to ensure a secure and sustainable domestic supply of these essential materials,” the White House said.

This is a developing article and more information will be added shortly.