According to some analysts, the West will still rely on China for 91% of its heavy rare earths needs by 2030, down only slightly from 99% in 2024

China has switched its lending from aid and infrastructure to "sensitive industries" in advanced economies - high‑tech sectors like chips, AI and clean energy - and the US is now the biggest recipient, a new report says

Traders report a 'scramble' for yttrium, used in chips and jet engines; prices have soared 4,400% this year and China has sent no yttrium to the US since April.

Lee's security adviser said the countries discussed nuclear-powered submarines on the "premise" the vessels would be built in South Korea

Germany's coalition government plans to re-examine its China policies in regard to energy, raw material imports and Chinese investment in critical German infrastructure

The US wants to boost its influence in a region dominated by Russia, and courted by China. It is keen to get access to Central Asia's energy and mineral resources.

America's top court will hear the fight against Trump's tariffs this week; an adverse ruling could be messy, but analysts say he would just use other avenues to achieve the same goal

Trump says 'amazing' Busan summit rated 12 out of 10. The two sides agreed to lift agricultural trade, pause port fees and deal with issues in the US TikTok sale

Tariff deal nearly finalized, Trump says, with $350bn worth of investment in US to be split into bundles, plus extensive help to reinvigorate US shipbuilding

Trump also lavished praise on Japan’s newly-elected PM Sanae Takaichi, the country’s first female leader who, in return, promised to nominate the US President for the Nobel Peace Prize

Satellite data has revealed a swag of rare earth mines in Laos, near tributaries that flow into the Mekong, spurring fears of an environmental crisis for Asia's third biggest river

The US is racing to establish a rare earth supply chain separate from China following Beijing’s increasingly aggressive moves to restrict its exports of rare earths to the country