Trade war: will China use ‘nuclear option’ of banning rare earth exports to US?

As China looks for ways to retaliate against the United States in a rapidly escalating trade war, one potential target that is looming large, particularly for the technology sector, is rare earth metals.

The minerals are vital to the production of components that power electric vehicles, anchor the audio and camera systems of Apple iPhones and help the US military’s guided missiles reach their targets.