China’s Trade War Shock: Clean Energy Metals on the Edge of Collapse

Escalating trade tensions between the US and China are disrupting the supply chain for critical clean energy metals, such as rare earth elements and lithium, which are essential for manufacturing renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. As both nations impose tariffs and other restrictions, global manufacturers are facing heightened uncertainty and cost pressures, potentially delaying the scaling of clean energy projects. While the US is striving to secure domestic sources and diversify supply chains, China’s dominant role in the mining and refining of these metals means that any disruption could have significant ripple effects across the global clean energy sector. Read more.