Trump administration launches bid to break China's grip on Africa's rare earth mineral markets

The Trump administration is working to break China's stranglehold on the African rare earth mineral market, a key strategic resource that poses a national security threat to the US. The State Department aims to reduce its dependence on Chinese supplies, which have dominated the global market since the 1990s. Efforts are being made to diversify sources of these critical minerals, with Africa emerging as a new front in the US's bid to reduce its reliance on China. This move is part of a broader push to rebalance US trade relationships and promote economic security.