The US, China, and the critical minerals question

July 21, 2025

- YouTube

In this Quick Take, Ian Bremmer analyzes a significant shift in US–China relations: Donald Trump’s decision to ease key technology restrictions on Beijing in an effort to secure access to critical minerals.

This move has stunned America’s national security community. Ian explains that members of the military-industrial complex are “horrified that the Chinese now no longer have a constraint on being able to compete with and potentially dominate the Americans in this most important space.”

“This is giving away the store,” Ian adds, emphasizing that the decision ultimately hands China a significant strategic advantage.

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Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025.

REUTERS/Hatem Khaled

Israeli ground forces have pushed into Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, an area that the IDF has previously largely avoided because it is believed to be where the remaining Israeli hostages are held.

The US, China, and the critical minerals question

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The US, China, and the critical minerals question

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More from GZERO Media

Senator Mark Warner says the civil war in Sudan is one of the world’s deadliest conflicts—and a missed opportunity for US leadership.

Putin can’t unsee it. #PUPPETREGIME

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Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

Japan’s ruling coalition lost control of the upper house in Sunday’s election, further weakening Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba amid growing domestic pressure and international challenges.

Ian Bremmer heads to Washington to sit down with Virginia Senator Mark Warner, a top Democrat pushing back against President Trump’s recent wins—and raising alarms about the politicization of US intelligence and the future of American foreign policy in the Trump era.

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Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) says President Trump’s allies are remaking the US intelligence community for political loyalty—and it’s putting national security at risk.