Trump's Terms Trump's new rare earth deals unlikely to slow China's dominance
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Oct 30, 2025 Jackie Northam, an NPR international affairs correspondent, dives into President Trump's recent rare earth agreements with Asian nations aimed at lessening U.S. dependence on China. She explains the strategic motivations behind these deals and discusses the contributions of countries like Thailand and Japan. Northam highlights the hesitations of Asian nations to fully engage due to their ties with China and assesses the lengthy, complex process of building new supply chains. Ultimately, she suggests that broader international alliances are necessary for a sustainable solution.
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U.S. Pushes Rare Earth Self-Sufficiency
- President Trump prioritized building U.S. self-sufficiency in rare earths and signed deals with several Asian countries during his Asia trip.
- Deals target nations with processing, reserves, or manufacturing strengths but lack detailed timelines or commitments.
Timing Aimed At China Ahead Of Xi Meeting
- Experts saw the timing of the deals as a strategic move ahead of Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping to challenge China.
- Partnerships like with Japan aim to reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers for critical components like permanent magnets.
Deals More Signal Than Immediate Change
- Observers say the new agreements are unlikely to break China's dominance in rare earths.
- Much of the activity functions as headline-grabbing signaling rather than immediate supply-chain change.