The Duran Podcast Out of the blue China-US trade war. Netherlands hits China
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Oct 13, 2025 The hosts delve into the escalating China-US trade tensions, sparked by China's rare earth export controls and Trump's retaliatory tariffs. They analyze the strategic importance of rare earths in military and AI applications. The discussion shifts to the Netherlands' recent action against a Chinese semiconductor firm, reflecting growing Western aggression toward China's tech dominance. The hosts also examine China's perception of a unified Western front and the implications for future relations.
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China's Rare-Earth Move Was Strategic
- The China rare-earth export restrictions were a deliberate reaction to ongoing US 'salami slicing' of tech and trade ties.
- Alexander Mercouris argues the move aimed to force the US to stop incremental pressures and negotiate seriously.
From Amicable To Acrimonious Divorce
- Mercouris says US-China relations are shifting from an 'amicable divorce' to an acrimonious, multi-issue collision.
- He warns one meeting won't fix deep structural rivalry across trade, AI, and military tech.
Rare Earths: Small Trade, Huge Strategic Leverage
- Rare earths are a small GDP item but vital to military and AI capabilities, giving China structural leverage.
- Mercouris notes the US still has limited levers like food and aircraft but lags in full supply-chain independence.