China's decision on 9 October to importantly reduce exports of uncommon earth metals is simply a decision of strategical importance, forcing the United States to respond immediately. U.S. president Donald Trump's fresh Asian tour shows that Washington has taken the gauntlet thrown down by Beijing seriously. Awareness of the consequences resulting from a possible Chinese blockade, resulting in attempts to safe the supply of critical natural materials from partners specified as Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia and Australia, shows that "the United States has belatedly understood that relying on the supply of key natural materials from its main strategical rival is not a good solution" (quoted by Tomasz Jóźwik, "Magazyn na Weekend" no. 212, "Dziennik Gazeta Prawna").
