This week, China banned exports of a number of essential minerals to the USA, marking the newest transfer in a widening sequence of retaliatory commerce restrictions between the world’s two largest economies.
By explicitly chopping off, somewhat than merely proscribing, supplies of strategic significance to the semiconductor, protection and electrical automobile sectors, China has clearly crossed a brand new line within the long-brewing commerce conflict.
However on the identical time, he chosen minerals that won’t cripple any trade, leaving China loads of ammunition to inflict additional financial ache in response to any extra commerce restrictions the incoming Trump administration could impose. Learn extra about what drove China’s choice, the way it impacts local weather know-how, and what’s prone to occur subsequent..
—James Temple
This story is a part of our MIT Know-how Evaluation Explains sequence. Let our writers untangle the complicated, messy world of know-how that will help you perceive what’s coming subsequent. You’ll be able to learn extra concerning the sequence right here..
Three issues that didn’t seem on the listing of the ten revolutionary applied sciences of 2025
Subsequent month, MIT Know-how Evaluation will launch the 2025 listing of 10 breakthrough applied sciences. Yearly, our newsroom scans the fields we cowl for applied sciences which are experiencing an actual game-changer. This annual package deal highlights the applied sciences we predict are most vital proper now..
Within the meantime, listed here are three applied sciences we thought-about together with on the 2025 listing however finally determined to depart out. And though these nominees did not make the reduce this yr, they’re price maintaining a tally of. Learn the total story.
