Beijing’s curbs on rare earth exports, used to make military drones, consumer electronics, electric cars and more, have caused alarm across federal agencies.

China is limiting US access to critical minerals in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, but the move isn’t as devastating as Beijing wants it to be.

China has been flexing its control over the mining and refining of minerals by adding metals essential for clean energy, chipmaking and defence to its export control list, disrupting global supply and sending prices soaring.