US warns China as Trump admin ramps up manufacturing, minerals push

The United States is confronting what it sees as China’s latest attempt to intimidate foreign companies investing in America’s industrial renaissance.

In a fiery statement issued Monday, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer accused Beijing of waging “retaliatory actions” aimed at discouraging private companies from supporting American manufacturing — especially in shipbuilding and other critical sectors.

“China’s recent retaliatory actions against private companies around the world are part of a broader pattern of economic coercion to influence U.S. policy and control global supply chains by discouraging foreign companies from investing in U.S. shipbuilding and other critical industries,” Greer said.

The ambassador added that China’s intimidation efforts and targeting of “industrial sectors critical to dominance” would not prevent the United States from reviving its shipbuilding base.

Trump administration criticizes China’s “global power grab” over rare earths, threatens to impose triple-digit tariffs

“We are committed to defending our companies, securing supply chains, and encouraging allied investment in America’s industrial future,” Greer said.

Greer’s statement comes after a series of moves taken by the Trump administration to strengthen the control of the United States and its allies over strategic resources. Earlier this week, President Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an $8.5 billion partnership to expand production of rare earths and critical minerals – part of a joint effort to reduce dependence on Chinese suppliers.

Trump and Australian Prime Minister sign important $8.5 billion minerals deal to counter China’s dominance of rare earths

Under the agreement, Washington and Canberra will jointly invest billions in mining and processing projects while simplifying licensing and setting price floors to stabilize supply. The agreement also limits the sale of strategic mineral assets to potential adversaries and promotes recycling and mapping of geological reserves.

President Donald Trump described China’s tariffs as unsustainable but necessary, and announced that he would meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea soon. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images; Rebecca Noble/Getty Images/Getty Images)

The move represents one of the largest cooperative industrial initiatives between the two allies in years, and is widely seen as a direct response to Beijing’s tightening control over rare earth exports.

The White House’s push to secure critical minerals has already begun to reshape US industrial strategy, prompting major companies to reconsider domestic mining opportunities.

Cleveland-Cliffs Corporation, one of Ohio’s largest steelmakers, recently announced plans to extract rare earth elements from its mining sites in Michigan and Minnesota. CEO Lourenco Goncalves said the company has a “commitment” to help reduce America’s dependence on China for critical materials used in everything from smartphones to defense systems.

Trump’s tariff gamble faces test as China halts mineral exports

“American manufacturing should not depend on China or any foreign country for essential minerals, and Cliffs intends to be part of the solution,” Goncalves said during an earnings call.

This initiative is consistent with the administration’s broader efforts to rebuild domestic supply chains and ensure that the United States maintains control over inputs critical to national security.

A rare earth mine in Baiyunpo or Bayan Opo. Baiyun’ebo or Bayan Obo is a mining town in Inner Mongolia, China. (Bert Van Dijk/Getty Images/Getty Images)

The renewed focus on critical minerals comes amid escalating economic tensions between Washington and Beijing. President Trump has warned of “massive” tariffs if China continues to restrict exports of rare earth elements, materials needed for electric cars, consumer electronics and missile guidance systems.

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Beijing’s export restrictions have drawn sharp condemnation from US officials, who describe them as an attempt to weaponize global supply chains and pressure companies to move away from US markets.

FOX Business’ Eric Revell and Reuters contributed to this report.