Rare earths are among the most critical raw materials on the planet, deeply embedded in the technologies that underpin modern life. Yet few people had even heard of them until the eruption of the US-China trade war thrust them into the limelight.

President Trump said the U.S. had signed a trade deal with China, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the White House is close to agreements with several trading partners, ahead of the July 9 deadline.