The trade war between China and the US has highlighted the importance of rare earths, minerals used in electric cars, computer hard drives, TV screens, jet engines, electronics, and military weapons.

While abundant in nature they are rare in pure form and hazardous to extract. China dominates the extraction and refining of rare earths, 91%, controlling the supply chain and deciding which companies can receive supplies.

China’s recently tightened rare earth exports has significantly impacted the US, whose industries rely heavily on imports of the precious metal.

China quietly used its power, snapped its fingers and the US President came a running to say, “sorry.”