China has signalled for more than 15 years that it was looking to weaponise areas of the global supply chain, a strategy modelled on longstanding American export controls Beijing views as aimed at stalling its rise.

China views its rare earths as a national security issue, not a trade one, and that’s why Beijing is unlikely to loosen controls any time soon, experts say.

As President Donald Trump tries to ease tensions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, don’t expect a quick trade deal after a phone call between the two leaders. That’s just not how the Chinese government works,