US blasts China as 'unreliable' as trade tensions mount

US officials accuse China of breaking trade truce, labeling them 'unreliable' amid escalating tensions over export controls on rare earths, magnets, lithium batteries, and graphite. The US warns of potential decoupling if China continues to be an unreliable trade partner, with President Trump considering additional tariffs and export controls on critical software. The dominance of China in the rare earths sector presents a key vulnerability in trade talks, affecting industries reliant on these materials for advanced tech manufacturing, like cars and smartphones.