Trump’s rare-earth push could channel crucial financing and eventually reduce Beijing’s dominance, but the effort will be costly and take years to bear fruits.

A s President Donald Trump prepares to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday, Beijing has just concluded its most important political event of the year. Xi emerged triumphant, strengthening his hand ahead of what could be the most consequential diplomatic showdown of 2025.

As Beijing weaponizes its dominance over rare earths supplies, US President Donald Trump is cutting deals to try to break the stranglehold. But his claim that America will have an abundance of the critical minerals in just one year’s time may be a fantasy.

Amid rising tensions with Beijing, the US is securing new trade deals in Asia to reduce dependence on China for rare earths. During his Asia visit, Trump lately announced agreements with Thailand and Malaysia to ensure unrestricted access to critical minerals.

Monday after Washington and Beijing reached a framework for a trade deal that could pause planned U. tariffs and Chinese export controls on critical minerals, easing fears of supply disruptions that had boosted the sector this year.