America’s rare-earths deal with Asia

President Trump negotiated a trade and critical minerals agreement with Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia during an asean-U.S. Summit in Malaysia on Sunday. This pact comes as China, which has a near monopoly on critical rare earths, has imposed stricter controls on them. Though the pact is a positive development for U.S. manufacturing, the Trumpet expects its benefits to fade as China increases its influence over smaller Asian nations.