CHINA PUSHES BACK AGAINST PROPOSED US MINERALS ALLIANCE
By Anele Dlamini
BEIJING: China has criticised a United States proposal to form a preferential trading bloc with its allies focused on critical minerals, warning that such arrangements could disrupt the global economic and trade system.
Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China opposes any efforts by “small groups” of countries to impose trade rules that undermine the broader international order.
“Maintaining an open, inclusive and universally beneficial international trade environment is in the common interest of all countries,” Lin said.
The remarks came after Washington unveiled plans aimed at strengthening cooperation with partner nations on the supply and trade of critical minerals, which are essential for technologies ranging from renewable energy to defence systems.
China, a major global supplier and processor of many of these minerals, has increasingly come under scrutiny from Western governments seeking to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains.