The chairman of the House of Representatives’ Special Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), released a statement, indicating that, unlike Trump, he had anticipated China’s rare earths actions. He urged Trump to view China’s export restrictions as “an economic declaration of war against the United States and an affront to President Trump.”
“China has aimed a loaded weapon at the American economy, attempting to block essential minerals needed for the semiconductors that energize the American military, economy, and everyday devices such as cars, phones, computers, and televisions,” Moolenaar stated. “Every American will feel the adverse effects of China’s decision, and that’s why we need to tackle America’s weaknesses and develop our own leverage against China.”
To retaliate effectively, Moolenaar proposed enacting a law he backed that would “terminate preferential trade treatment for China, establish a robust resource reserve of critical minerals, safeguard American research and campuses from Chinese interference, and constrict China’s technology industry with export restrictions instead of supplying it with advanced chips.”
Moolenaar also reiterated measures he suggested back in September that he argued Trump could implement to “establish genuine leverage with China” amid its control over rare earths.
These measures included “limiting or halting Chinese airline landing rights in the US,” “assessing export control regulations concerning the sale of commercial aircraft, components, and maintenance services to China,” and “restricting outbound investments in China’s aviation sector in collaboration with key allies.”
“These measures would convey a strong message to Beijing that it cannot stifle essential supplies to our defense industries without facing repercussions in its own strategic sectors,” Moolenaar wrote in his September correspondence to Trump. “By working collectively, the US and its allies can bolster our resilience, enhance unity, and create genuine leverage with China.”
