The US healthcare system may be severely impacted if President Donald Trump’s trade war with China leads to a shortage of essential rare earth minerals. These 17 metals, crucial for defense, health-care, and technology products, are mainly processed by China. As part of its retaliation against escalating US tariffs, Beijing has recently restricted the export of several key rare earth minerals, putting US industries at risk of shortages. This development could disrupt medical care for Americans affected by brain tumors, liver cancer, and heart attacks who rely on these minerals in their treatment.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/04/18/china-restricts-rare-earths-export