Here's how Trump can hit China's economy where it really hurts as analysts say Beijing's rare earths gamble could backfire

(Credit: Dan Kitwood and Nicholas Kamm—AFP via Getty Images)

The Trump administration insists it holds the upper hand as trade friction with Beijing has reignited over its sweeping rare-earths export controls.

While President Donald Trump’s initial response was to announce an additional 100% tariff and software restrictions on China, which controls more than 90% of the world’s processed rare earths and rare earth magnets, he previously has alluded to harsher measures that could come into play.