In the meantime, shipments of rare earths have been halted at many ports, with customs officials blocking exports to any country, including to the U.S. as well as Japan and Germany, sources told the Times. China’s Ministry of Commerce issued export restrictions alongside the General Administration of Customs, prohibiting Chinese businesses from any engagement with U.S. firms, especially defense contractors.

They’re clearly calling Trump’s bluff, but why include Japan and Germany in this? Worrying. The article doesn’t explain.

BTW I don’t buy into the narrative that China is the better world dominator. Their human rights record is abhorrent, and they clearly aren’t a democracy. And I don’t see that changing anytinme soon.