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  China controls the rare earths the world buys - can Trump's new deals change that? US President Donald Trump has signed a flurry of deals on his Asia visit to secure the supply of rare earths, a critical sector that China has long dominated. The deals with Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia differ in size and substance and it's too early to assess their tangible impact. But they all include efforts to diversify access to the minerals that have become essential for advanced manufacturing, from electric vehicles to smartphones. The agreements, which aim to lock partners into trading with the US, are a clear bid to reduce dependence on China, ahead of a key meeting with its leader Xi Jinping. They could eventually challenge Beijing's stranglehold over rare earths, but experts say it will be a costly process that will take years. "Building new mines, refining facilities, and processing plants in regions such as Australia, the United States, and Europe comes ...

Gold prices hit new record in global market


Investors have flocked to gold as a safe haven after US President Donald Trump's harsh attacks on tariffs and the Federal Reserve. As a result, the price of gold reached $3,500 per ounce for the first time on Tuesday.

The price of gold reached a high of $3,500.10 during the day before falling slightly to $3,467.87. Gold prices have been continuously setting records for the past few weeks.

The reason for this is said to be investors seeking safe havens due to the weak dollar and the fear of a major collapse in the stock market.

The tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have triggered a trade war between the US and the world's second largest economy, China. Gold prices have risen by more than 30 percent since the beginning of this year.

Rania Gulley, senior market analyst at trading firm XS.com, said, "This rise reflects fears of a possible recession in the US economy and political tensions."

Especially when President Trump is constantly attacking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

He added, “Such political pressure and questions about the Fed’s independence are forcing investors to choose gold as a safe haven in uncertain times.”

On Monday, President Trump called Fed Chair Powell a “loser” on social media because he did not cut interest rates.

Trump even threatened to fire him last week, which has now led to speculation about whether he could actually do so.

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