The US has no reason to be caught off guard by China closing the gap in the race for quantum computing, writes @cathythorbecke (via @opinion) https://t.co/UEhjP2quMY ...

French President Emmanuel Macron told European Union leaders to consider using the bloc’s most powerful trade tool against China if they aren’t able to find a resolution to Beijing’s planned export controls on critical raw materials https://t.co/uQxDAD1Yzs ...

Geopolitical & Economic Strategy - China is leveraging its rare-earth mineral production dominance as a political and economic weapon [1] - The U S needs alternatives to China's rare-earth mineral dominance [1] Industry & Trade - Australia is a natural partner for the U S in rare-earth mineral production [1] - Australia is the world's fourth largest rare-earth producer [1]

Inflation, China and an exodus of Syrian workers are among its problems https://t.co/HHEMMZBHqP ...

China has learned to escalate and retaliate as effectively as America. It has rebuffed Donald Trump and rewritten the norms of global commerce https://t.co/gjSMfRKsUY ...

China names new second highest-ranking general after military purge https://t.co/mmZAl8nLbB ...

Were the fight purely about tariffs, China might well have lost. But the country has found other ways to fight https://t.co/L6umNwaZi1 ...

Core Points - The U.S. and Australia have initiated a multi-billion-dollar collaboration to establish a supply chain for critical minerals essential for military and domestic industries [1][2] - A non-binding framework was signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, focusing on joint investments in mining and processing of critical minerals [2][3] - The agreement includes commitments to streamline permitting processes and implement price floors to protect domestic markets from unfair trade practices [2][3] Financial Commitments - The U.S. and Australia plan to allocate at least $1 billion in financing for critical mineral projects in each country within six months [3] - An additional $8.5 billion pipeline was mentioned as part of the deal, although specific details were not provided [3] Strategic Importance - The urgency to build an independent critical mineral supply chain has increased due to China's tightening export restrictions on rare earths [4] - China is the leading global producer of essential minerals and a significant buyer of Australia's strategic minerals, including 95% of its lithium ore spodumene [4] Market Dynamics - China's overseas mining acquisitions reached a decade-high in 2024, posing a threat to U.S. and global markets [5] - China's market manipulation tactics, such as flooding the market with excess supply, have made it challenging for the U.S. and its allies to compete effectively [6] - Australia is deemed an "indispensable partner" for the U.S. due to its possession of over 40 minerals classified as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey [6]

China is leveraging its position as the world’s largest creditor to help broaden usage of the yuan https://t.co/LHJbGvRtoZ ...

Former Morgan Stanley Asia chairman Stephen Roach says China must target consumption accounting for half of economic output over the next decade, joining a growing chorus of calls from economists worried about the Asian nation’s outlook https://t.co/qUBOzjlQOL ...