A flurry of announcements this week is reshaping efforts by the United States and the European Union to loosen China's grip on rare earth minerals, the building blocks of next-generation technology. US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled Project Vault, a plan to build a US strategic stockpile of critical minerals, expand domestic rare-earth processing capacity and secure long‑term supply deals with manufacturers.
In another development, the EU on Tuesday set out plans for a rare-earth alliance with US to bolster its own resilience. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance gave a keynote speech to delegates from key mineral‑producing countries on Wednesday, seeking to secure a rare-earth trading bloc to challenge China.
Rare earths and other critical minerals like lithium, cobalt and copper are essential for electric vehicles, robotics, artificial intelligence, defense and renewable energy.
fredag 6. februar 2026
South Korea stunned by Trump's latest tariff hike
South Korea's government appeared to be blindsided last week as Donald Trump accused Seoul of "not living up" to a bilateral trade deal concluded in October, and announced a new 25% tariff on Korean imports.
The Asian nation has yet to ratify the US trade agreement in the National Assembly. The legal step, expected in late February or early March, was considered a formality as South Korea had signaled readiness to accept tariffs of 15% on a range of its most critical exports to the US, including cars and pharmaceuticals.
South Korea had also committed to investing $350 billion (nearly €297 billion) in the US in return for the 15% tariff rate. With Trump flipping the table yet again, analysts warn of a growing sense of discontent with the US in the allied country, which could motivate Seoul to forge closer trade and economic ties with other nations, including China.
The Asian nation has yet to ratify the US trade agreement in the National Assembly. The legal step, expected in late February or early March, was considered a formality as South Korea had signaled readiness to accept tariffs of 15% on a range of its most critical exports to the US, including cars and pharmaceuticals.
South Korea had also committed to investing $350 billion (nearly €297 billion) in the US in return for the 15% tariff rate. With Trump flipping the table yet again, analysts warn of a growing sense of discontent with the US in the allied country, which could motivate Seoul to forge closer trade and economic ties with other nations, including China.
How China Built Its Navy on Russia’s Cold War Technology
Operating the world's largest navy by hull count, China possesses combat vessels—including surface warships and submarines—acquired from Russia decades ago, that helped it build sea power capable of challenging the United States.
While Russian legacy systems remain a relevant part of the rapidly expanding Chinese fleet, Alex Luck, an Australia-based analyst who specializes in the People's Liberation Army Navy, told Newsweek they will likely disappear from PLAN service within the next decade or two, "depending on how long particular units remain in service."
China and Russia have formed what Russian President Vladimir Putin once called a partnership without limitations, with both sides providing support—diplomatically and militarily—to each other on issues such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and tensions across the Taiwan Strait, as they join hands in countering U.S.-led alliances in Europe and Asia.
As part of efforts to build a "world-class" military aimed at displacing the U.S. as the world's most powerful nation, China has undergone naval modernization—supported by a robust shipbuilding capacity—and fields a fleet of more than 370 ships and submarines, including three aircraft carriers, eight 10,000-ton-class destroyers and 60 submarines.
While Russian legacy systems remain a relevant part of the rapidly expanding Chinese fleet, Alex Luck, an Australia-based analyst who specializes in the People's Liberation Army Navy, told Newsweek they will likely disappear from PLAN service within the next decade or two, "depending on how long particular units remain in service."
China and Russia have formed what Russian President Vladimir Putin once called a partnership without limitations, with both sides providing support—diplomatically and militarily—to each other on issues such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and tensions across the Taiwan Strait, as they join hands in countering U.S.-led alliances in Europe and Asia.
As part of efforts to build a "world-class" military aimed at displacing the U.S. as the world's most powerful nation, China has undergone naval modernization—supported by a robust shipbuilding capacity—and fields a fleet of more than 370 ships and submarines, including three aircraft carriers, eight 10,000-ton-class destroyers and 60 submarines.
America’s New Mineral Alliance Has China in Its Sights
An alliance to reshape critical mineral supply chains dominated by China was launched Wednesday by the United States and representatives from more than 50 countries.
"Today the United States, together with our partners and allies, has set out to reshape the global market for critical minerals and rare earths," the State Department said in a press release following the event, hosted in Washington by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and other senior U.S. officials.
The initiative covers a range of strategic resources, including rare earth elements (REEs), a group of 17 minerals essential to technologies shaping the future, from artificial intelligence and robotics to missile guidance systems.
China accounts for roughly two-thirds of rare-earth output and about 90 percent of processing, a concentration viewed as a national security risk by the U.S. and its allies. Rare earths in particular have become a major foreign policy focus for President Donald Trump's administration, including in negotiations on a potential ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
"Today the United States, together with our partners and allies, has set out to reshape the global market for critical minerals and rare earths," the State Department said in a press release following the event, hosted in Washington by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and other senior U.S. officials.
The initiative covers a range of strategic resources, including rare earth elements (REEs), a group of 17 minerals essential to technologies shaping the future, from artificial intelligence and robotics to missile guidance systems.
China accounts for roughly two-thirds of rare-earth output and about 90 percent of processing, a concentration viewed as a national security risk by the U.S. and its allies. Rare earths in particular have become a major foreign policy focus for President Donald Trump's administration, including in negotiations on a potential ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
Arms Race: China Issues ‘Vital’ Nuclear Weapons Warning to US
China urged the U.S. to quickly work with Russia on a solution to manage their nuclear arsenals now that the New START arms control treaty has expired. New START was the last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the U.S. It expired on Thursday, removing any caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in more than a half-century. Its termination sets the stage for what many fear could be an unconstrained nuclear arms race.
"From China’s view, the expiration of New START is truly regrettable," said Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, in a statement shared on social media.
"The treaty is vital to global strategic stability, and there is widespread concern over the impact on the international nuclear arms control system and global nuclear order after the treaty expires."
"From China’s view, the expiration of New START is truly regrettable," said Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, in a statement shared on social media.
"The treaty is vital to global strategic stability, and there is widespread concern over the impact on the international nuclear arms control system and global nuclear order after the treaty expires."
Japan’s Takaichi eyes decisive mandate as polls point to snap election landslide
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is poised to lead her ruling coalition to a landslide victory in this weekend’s snap election, a Nikkei poll has shown The poll, conducted from Tuesday to Thursday, showed that the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, were likely to secure more than 300 of the 465 seats in the Lower House.
The findings echo an earlier poll by the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun, which also projected that the ruling bloc would gain more than 300 seats. The Central Reform Alliance — an alliance of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito — is forecast to have its seat count roughly halved from the current 167 seats, according to the Nikkei poll.
Separate polling by Kyodo News suggests the LDP could secure a single-party majority of more than 233 seats on its own.
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The findings echo an earlier poll by the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun, which also projected that the ruling bloc would gain more than 300 seats. The Central Reform Alliance — an alliance of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito — is forecast to have its seat count roughly halved from the current 167 seats, according to the Nikkei poll.
Separate polling by Kyodo News suggests the LDP could secure a single-party majority of more than 233 seats on its own.
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Taiwan-US ties are ‘rock solid,’ the island’s president says after Trump-Xi call
Taiwan’s ties with the United States are “rock solid,” the island’s president said Thursday, hours after President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke on the phone about topics that included the self-ruled island’s future.
“The Taiwan-U.S. relationship is rock solid, and all cooperation projects will continue uninterrupted,” Taiwan President Lai Ching-te told reporters during a visit to textile merchants in western Taiwan.
The comments came after Xi, in his first call with Trump since November, warned the U.S. president to be “prudent” about supplying arms to the self-ruled island, according to a readout of their call provided by China’s Foreign Ministry. Taiwan is a self-ruled democracy that China claims as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary. Beijing prohibits all countries it has diplomatic relations with — including the U.S. — from having formal ties with Taipei.
“The Taiwan-U.S. relationship is rock solid, and all cooperation projects will continue uninterrupted,” Taiwan President Lai Ching-te told reporters during a visit to textile merchants in western Taiwan.
The comments came after Xi, in his first call with Trump since November, warned the U.S. president to be “prudent” about supplying arms to the self-ruled island, according to a readout of their call provided by China’s Foreign Ministry. Taiwan is a self-ruled democracy that China claims as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary. Beijing prohibits all countries it has diplomatic relations with — including the U.S. — from having formal ties with Taipei.
What to know about Thailand’s election as economic growth slows and nationalism rises
Thailand’s political parties geared up Friday for their last campaign rallies before voters head to the polls on Sunday for a general election being held against a backdrop of chronically slow economic growth and heightened nationalist sentiment.
There also have been accusations of shady financial influence linked to cybercrime and rampant corruption among officials ahead of the election that is likely to be a tight race among three major parties with no outright winner expected. The snap vote was triggered in December by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who dissolved parliament to preempt a potential no-confidence motion over an issue of constitutional change.
There also have been accusations of shady financial influence linked to cybercrime and rampant corruption among officials ahead of the election that is likely to be a tight race among three major parties with no outright winner expected. The snap vote was triggered in December by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who dissolved parliament to preempt a potential no-confidence motion over an issue of constitutional change.
Hong Kong ex-media tycoon Jimmy Lai will be sentenced Monday after national security conviction
Hong Kong’s pro-democracy former media tycoon Jimmy Lai will be sentenced Monday following his conviction in December under a Beijing-imposed national security law. Lai, the 78-year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, could face up to life in prison in the case that has stirred criticism from some foreign governments.
The judiciary said Friday on its website that it’s calling for the sentencing session at 10 a.m. Monday.
Lai was an outspoken critic of China’s ruling Communist Party and was arrested in 2020 under the national security law that Beijing deemed necessary for the city’s stabilityfollowing anti-government protests the previous year. His trial was widely seen as an indicator of the decline of press freedom in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997. But the city’s government insists the case has nothing to do with media freedom.
The judiciary said Friday on its website that it’s calling for the sentencing session at 10 a.m. Monday.
Lai was an outspoken critic of China’s ruling Communist Party and was arrested in 2020 under the national security law that Beijing deemed necessary for the city’s stabilityfollowing anti-government protests the previous year. His trial was widely seen as an indicator of the decline of press freedom in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997. But the city’s government insists the case has nothing to do with media freedom.
onsdag 4. februar 2026
Chinese University Sought Epstein’s Help To Build Boston Campus
Officials at one of China’s premier universities sought the aid of late American financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in building a branch campus in the Boston area, emails released Friday show.
The correspondence spans more than a dozen emails, part of a tranche of 3 million documents made public by the Department of Justice more than a month after the deadline set by Congress in legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump.
The correspondence involved Epstein, Harvard mathematics professor Martin Nowak and Shing-Tung Yau, a Harvard mathematics professor of more than three decades who acted as an intermediary with senior officials at Tsinghua University, the Beijing-based institution often compared to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The correspondence spans more than a dozen emails, part of a tranche of 3 million documents made public by the Department of Justice more than a month after the deadline set by Congress in legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump.
The correspondence involved Epstein, Harvard mathematics professor Martin Nowak and Shing-Tung Yau, a Harvard mathematics professor of more than three decades who acted as an intermediary with senior officials at Tsinghua University, the Beijing-based institution often compared to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
China’s Xi and Russia’s Putin discuss their growing links, ties with US and global crises
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a video call Wednesday to discuss the burgeoning economic cooperation between Moscow and Beijing and their relations with the United States. The Kremlin leader accepted an invitation to visit China twice this year.
The call came amid a series of meetings between Xi and Western leaders who have sought to boost ties with China despite differences over the conflict in Ukraine. European leaders have pressed China for years to end its support for Russia even as Beijing has become the No. 1 trading partner for Moscow, which seeks relief from Western economic sanctions.
“I would like to once again assure you of firm support for our shared efforts to ensure the sovereignty and security of our countries, our socio-economic welfare and the right to choose our own development path,” Putin said in opening remarks that were broadcast by Russian state television.
The call came amid a series of meetings between Xi and Western leaders who have sought to boost ties with China despite differences over the conflict in Ukraine. European leaders have pressed China for years to end its support for Russia even as Beijing has become the No. 1 trading partner for Moscow, which seeks relief from Western economic sanctions.
“I would like to once again assure you of firm support for our shared efforts to ensure the sovereignty and security of our countries, our socio-economic welfare and the right to choose our own development path,” Putin said in opening remarks that were broadcast by Russian state television.
Trump and Xi discuss Iran in wide-ranging call as US presses China and others to break from Tehran
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the situation in Iran in a wide-ranging call as the U.S. administration pushes Beijing and others to further isolate Tehran. Trump said the two leaders also discussed a broad range of other critical issues in the U.S.-China relationship, including trade and Taiwan and his plans to visit Beijing in April.
“The relationship with China, and my personal relationship with President Xi, is an extremely good one, and we both realize how important it is to keep it that way,” Trump said in a social media posting about the call.
The Chinese government, in a readout of the call, said the two leaders discussed major summits that both nations will host in the coming year that could present opportunities for them to meet. The Chinese statement, however, made no mention of Trump’s expected April visit to Beijing.
“The relationship with China, and my personal relationship with President Xi, is an extremely good one, and we both realize how important it is to keep it that way,” Trump said in a social media posting about the call.
The Chinese government, in a readout of the call, said the two leaders discussed major summits that both nations will host in the coming year that could present opportunities for them to meet. The Chinese statement, however, made no mention of Trump’s expected April visit to Beijing.
Rayhan Asat: International Law for Some, but Not for All | Opinion
At Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney drew applause for his plea to middle powers to “build a new order that encompasses values.” While President Donald Trump’s saber-rattling has unsettled many, for me and others in my Uyghur community, it was also deeply painful to see Carney feted for his “principled pragmatism” only days after he visited China to forge a new strategic partnership, devoid of any mention of human rights concerns.
I’ve spent the past decade fighting for my own brilliant brother Ekpar Asat, and a million others who have vanished into China’s vast system of camps—mass imprisonment that has, over time, been allowed to harden into a grim “new normal.” This is the exact oppressive system that Czech stateman Václav Havel, whom Carney invoked, urged free people to resist.
I’ve spent the past decade fighting for my own brilliant brother Ekpar Asat, and a million others who have vanished into China’s vast system of camps—mass imprisonment that has, over time, been allowed to harden into a grim “new normal.” This is the exact oppressive system that Czech stateman Václav Havel, whom Carney invoked, urged free people to resist.
China ramps up threats over Panama Canal ruling that handed Trump a major victory
The Chinese government has condemned a ruling from Panama’s top court, warning the Central American country “will inevitably pay a heavy price” unless it changes course.
The rebuke comes shortly after Panama’s Supreme Court ruled to void Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s license to operate ports at either end of the Panama Canal. The ruling was seen as a major victory for the Trump administration’s security ambitions in the Western Hemisphere, given that the White House has made blocking China’s influence over the critically important waterway one of its top priorities.
The rebuke comes shortly after Panama’s Supreme Court ruled to void Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s license to operate ports at either end of the Panama Canal. The ruling was seen as a major victory for the Trump administration’s security ambitions in the Western Hemisphere, given that the White House has made blocking China’s influence over the critically important waterway one of its top priorities.
Hong Kong firm begins arbitration proceedings over ruling against its Panama Canal port contract
Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings said Wednesday its subsidiary has started arbitration proceedings against Panama, after that country’s Supreme Court ruled a concession for the subsidiary to operate Panama Canal ports was unconstitutional.
The company said it strongly disagreed with last week’s ruling, and China warned Panama would pay “a heavy price” if it persisted. Panama has said the two ports at each end of the canal — a critical passage for global trade that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans — would operate without interruption after the ruling, which was seen by some as a win for the U.S. President Donald Trump administration’s goal of blocking Chinese influence over the canal.
Panama Ports Company, the subsidiary under CK Hutchison that operates the ports, began arbitration proceedings Tuesday under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce. It’s unclear what the impact of the proceedings would be and how long they could take.
The company said it strongly disagreed with last week’s ruling, and China warned Panama would pay “a heavy price” if it persisted. Panama has said the two ports at each end of the canal — a critical passage for global trade that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans — would operate without interruption after the ruling, which was seen by some as a win for the U.S. President Donald Trump administration’s goal of blocking Chinese influence over the canal.
Panama Ports Company, the subsidiary under CK Hutchison that operates the ports, began arbitration proceedings Tuesday under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce. It’s unclear what the impact of the proceedings would be and how long they could take.
US wants to create a critical minerals trading bloc with its allies to counter China
The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it wants to create a critical minerals trading bloc with its allies and partners, using tariffs to maintain minimum prices and defend against China’s stranglehold on the key elements needed for everything from fighter jets to smartphones.
Vice President JD Vance said the U.S.-China trade war over the past year exposed how dependent most countries are on the critical minerals that Beijing largely dominates, so collective action is needed now to give the West self-reliance.
“We want members to form a trading bloc among allies and partners, one that guarantees American access to American industrial might while also expanding production across the entire zone,” Vance said at the opening of a meeting that Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted with officials from several dozen European, Asian and African nations.
Vice President JD Vance said the U.S.-China trade war over the past year exposed how dependent most countries are on the critical minerals that Beijing largely dominates, so collective action is needed now to give the West self-reliance.
“We want members to form a trading bloc among allies and partners, one that guarantees American access to American industrial might while also expanding production across the entire zone,” Vance said at the opening of a meeting that Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted with officials from several dozen European, Asian and African nations.
tirsdag 3. februar 2026
China’s fading power and prestige in South Asia
China sought to prove its capabilities through major projects in South Asia, but those same projects now challenge its image as a rising power.
Over the past two decades, China has expanded its footprint across South Asia, presenting itself as a reliable provider of infrastructure and stability. The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 further elevated expectations that Beijing would fill the emerging power vacuum.However, recent evidence, from stalled China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects to persistent security threats in Afghanistan, and even Beijing’s inability to facilitate meaningful progress in Taliban-Pakistan negotiations, suggests a widening gap between China’s ambitions and its on-the-ground performance.
This raises a critical question: How much do these mounting project disruptions erode Beijing’s claim to regional leadership and its prestige as Asia’s rising power?
Over the past two decades, China has expanded its footprint across South Asia, presenting itself as a reliable provider of infrastructure and stability. The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 further elevated expectations that Beijing would fill the emerging power vacuum.However, recent evidence, from stalled China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects to persistent security threats in Afghanistan, and even Beijing’s inability to facilitate meaningful progress in Taliban-Pakistan negotiations, suggests a widening gap between China’s ambitions and its on-the-ground performance.
This raises a critical question: How much do these mounting project disruptions erode Beijing’s claim to regional leadership and its prestige as Asia’s rising power?
The bus left in 2014: why Modi’s 2026 Budget can’t overtake China
India’s central government budget for fiscal year 2026-27, known as the Union Budget, was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Parliament on February 1, 2026. It marks Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest effort to steer India toward technological and economic self-reliance.
Coming amid global shifts in supply chains and escalating geopolitical tensions, this budget appears as a frantic bid to board a bus that India has missed during Modi’s over a decade in power. Past budgets under his tenure prioritized populist fiscal measures, infrastructure and fiscal prudence at the core but largely overlooked the critical sectors defining today’s global economy: rare-earth minerals and magnets, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and green energy transitions.
Coming amid global shifts in supply chains and escalating geopolitical tensions, this budget appears as a frantic bid to board a bus that India has missed during Modi’s over a decade in power. Past budgets under his tenure prioritized populist fiscal measures, infrastructure and fiscal prudence at the core but largely overlooked the critical sectors defining today’s global economy: rare-earth minerals and magnets, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and green energy transitions.
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