In a stunning twist that could shake global markets, former President Donald Trump has erupted in outrage over China’s latest trade maneuver, labeling it as ‘sinister and hostile.’ This fiery response comes in light of Beijing’s recent decision to impose strict export controls on rare earth elements—critical components in everything from smartphones to military equipment.

In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump expressed his disbelief, stating, “Some very strange things are happening in China.” He accused Beijing of becoming increasingly aggressive by notifying countries worldwide of their plans to restrict exports of these vital materials. “Nobody has ever seen anything like this,” he added, suggesting that such actions could lead to significant disruptions in global supply chains, making life difficult for many nations, including China itself.

Amidst escalating tensions, Trump announced he would no longer meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. His decision was influenced by what he deemed ‘especially inappropriate’ communications from China. “I never thought it would come to this, but perhaps, as with all things, the time has come,” he concluded, hinting that while painful, these developments could ultimately benefit the United States.

This surprise move by China has caught many off guard, especially given the supposedly positive relations Trump claimed to have established over the past six months. He reflected, “I have always felt that they’ve been lying in wait, and now, as usual, I have been proven right!” He warned that China should not be able to ‘hold the world captive’ with their monopoly over rare earth elements, referring to the situation as a ‘rather sinister and hostile move.’

In response to these trade restrictions, which Beijing’s commerce ministry claims are necessary to ‘safeguard national security,’ Trump hinted at potential retaliatory measures. He suggested that Washington is considering a “massive increase of tariffs” on Chinese goods entering the U.S., among other countermeasures. Trump’s timing coincided with what he called a day of ‘peace in the Middle East,’ further speculating that the timing of China’s announcement was no coincidence.

As the world watches closely, the implications of this trade conflict will resonate across various industries, particularly those reliant on rare earth elements. Will Trump's anticipated tariffs become a reality? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the global economic landscape is about to get a lot more complicated.