China’s Rare Earth Restrictions Could Backfire on Xi. Here’s How

Beijing’s latest rare earth restrictions, intended to consolidate an already dominant position and boost its leverage amid ongoing trade negotiations, may be an ill-judged gambit that could see China cede control over what is shaping up to be the 21st century’s most critical supply chain.Under the new rules—unveiled by China’s Ministry of Commerce last week and set to take effect in December—