A report in the Financial Times (subscription) says China could cripple America’s defense industry by limiting the export of rare earth minerals needed to manufacture F-35 fighter jets and other vital weaponry. According to the publication, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has proposed controls on the production and export of 17 rare earth minerals, of which China controls about 80% of global supply. Another report says China is considering a ban on the export of rare earth minerals as part of its sanctions on individual companies due to arms sales to Taiwan. 2/22/2021