The American military’s dependence on Chinese sources gives Beijing leverage in the lead-up to Trump’s trip, sources say
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenDewey Simin BeijingPublished: 11:00pm, 10 Mar 2026Updated: 11:09pm, 10 Mar 2026The US war against Iran may have handed Beijing some fresh rare earths leverage over Washington, with roughly three weeks until US President Donald Trump’s expected visit to China.Washington’s heavy reliance on the Chinese minerals for its advanced weapon systems means China could dictate how long US strikes on Iran can go on, according to sources and analysts.Sources told the South China Morning Post, on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, that Washington had only around two months of rare earths inventory, and the supplies would dominate talks when Trump sat down with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Beijing also appeared less eager for a deal than Washington, they added.
