BONUS: China rare-earth export controls vs. U.S. 100% tariff threat + what it means for manufacturers
Description
Renaud breaks down this week’s one-two punch in the U.S.–China trade saga: Beijing’s new export controls on key rare-earth minerals (notably neodymium for high-strength magnets) and the White House’s counter-threat of a 100% tariff on made-in-China imports from November 1.
He unpacks the “small yard, high fence” strategy, how China is now mirroring U.S. tools (FDPR-style controls, personnel restrictions, licensing), and what this means for your supply chain in the next few weeks.
Episode Sections:
00:00:26 The headline: China’s new export controls on rare-earth minerals (incl. neodymium)
00:01:45 U.S. response: proposed 100% tariff on made-in-China goods from Nov 1 (leverage &
deadline)
00:02:46 China says it will reciprocate; deadlock + market jitters
00:03:07 Mixed signals on X; why near-term headlines may whipsaw
00:04:59 WSJ angle: “learn the barbarians’ tools” — China’s smarter countermeasures
00:05:11 “Small yard, high fence”: narrowing the choke points (semis, EVs, batteries)
00:07:05 Example #1: U.S. FDPR vs. China’s mineral-origin export controls (mirroring)
00:07:48 Example #2: Restricting people — U.S. persons in CN semis vs. CN nationals in rare-earth chain
00:08:15 Example #3: Licensing regimes for dual-use tech — copy-and-invert
00:09:16 Takeaways for importers: don’t overreact, prep playbooks before Nov 1
Work with us
Design, industrialization, inspections, audits, CM, and 3PL across Asia → Sofeast Group: https://www.sofeast.com/
Related content...
- How China's new rare earth export controls work (Reuters)
- China’s rare-earths power move jolted Trump but was years in the making (WaPo)
- China’s New Rare Earth and Magnet Restrictions Threaten U.S. Defense Supply Chains (CSIS)
- Trump announces extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting next month (CBS)
- China warns US of retaliation over Trump’s 100% tariffs threat (The Guardian)
- Foxconn sees limited impact from China rare earths curbs for now (Reuters)
- ASML plays down Chinese tool stockpiling, impact of rare earth restrictions (Reuters)
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