materials

Analysts described the move as “economic brinkmanship,” noting that China could retaliate by targeting U.S. exports or restricting access to key materials even further.

They might target just rare-earth materials and rare-earth magnets, or they might hit a range of parts and components that have some rare earths inside.

U.S. and global tech, defense, and automotive firms need those materials, which are difficult to source outside China.

The new bill authorizes funds for training materials, but Gov. Newsom’s budget reportedly supports enough for only two-thirds of state schools to get such materials if they so choose.

China dominates global production and processing of these materials.