Donald Trump Furious! US Hikes China Import Tariffs to 130% Over Rare Earth Dispute

Ria Sartika    Senin, Oktober 13, 2025    Comment   

Donald Trump Furious! US Hikes China Import Tariffs to 130% Over Rare Earth Dispute

Donald Trump Furious! US Hikes China Import Tariffs to 130% Over Rare Earth Dispute.

US President Donald Trump has once again made global headlines — this time for lashing out at China by announcing a 130 percent import tariff on all Chinese products.

The move comes after a previous 30 percent tariff, marking a massive escalation in the ongoing trade tension between the two superpowers. Starting November 1, 2025, every product coming from China into the US will face this steep import duty.

“The United States will impose an additional 100 percent tariff on China—on top of all existing tariffs,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account on Friday (October 10).

The decision follows China’s move to tighten exports of rare earth elements (REEs) — vital materials used in industries like technology, electronics, and clean energy.

As the world’s dominant supplier of rare earths, China holds a key position in the global supply chain, while the US remains one of the largest consumers. China’s restrictions on these exports have raised alarms in Washington, given how critical these materials are for high-tech manufacturing.

Trump, known for his hardline trade stance, viewed China’s policy as economic pressure and responded with equally strong measures. The new tariffs are seen as a form of retaliation, pushing China to reopen its rare earth exports to American industries.

This move didn’t come out of nowhere. Throughout his leadership, Trump has repeatedly targeted Beijing through trade barriers, restrictions on US technology sales to China, and even new fees on goods transported by China-owned or operated vessels.

Economists warn that the 130 percent tariff hike could reignite the long-standing US–China trade war, impacting not just both nations but also the global technology and manufacturing supply chain.

Trump Threatens Economic Retaliation Against China Amid Rare Earths Trade Dispute

Redaksi    Sabtu, Oktober 11, 2025    Comment   

Trump Threatens Economic Retaliation Against China Amid Rare Earths Trade Dispute

US President Donald Trump threatens economic retaliation against China after Beijing tightens rare earth export controls, escalating trade tensions ahead of the APEC Summit.

US President Donald Trump has once again made headlines with a fiery statement. On social media, he accused China of becoming increasingly “hostile” after Beijing tightened export controls on rare earths — the critical minerals essential to global technology industries.

Trump also threatened economic retaliation against China, saying he no longer sees any reason to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during his upcoming visit to the region later this month.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that China is now trying to restrict exports of almost every key element used in rare earth production. He warned that such a move could disrupt global markets and create problems for many countries — including China itself.

Trump added that if China continues with this new policy, the United States will respond financially. “For every element they have monopolized, we have two,” he declared.

China Tightens Rare Earth Export Controls

Beijing’s decision to expand the list of controlled minerals and restrict the production technology is seen as an attempt to strengthen its leverage in ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. These restrictions also include materials used in military and semiconductor production.

The move has raised concerns among Washington officials, as the US has long sought to reduce its dependence on Chinese rare earths.

As part of that effort, the Trump administration announced a $400 million investment in MP Materials Corp, the only US-based rare earth producer.

However, officials have acknowledged that the process will take time — leaving the US and its allies vulnerable to China’s strategic decisions in the short term.

Trump-Xi Meeting at Risk

Trump was initially scheduled to meet Xi Jinping during the APEC Summit in South Korea later this month. But after China’s latest export control announcement, Trump stated that there is “no reason” to proceed with the meeting.

White House officials viewed China’s move as a major escalation in US-China relations. Even before Trump’s public remarks, some believed the meeting might be canceled.

China had invited Trump to visit Beijing during his Asia trip, but the Trump administration declined due to a lack of concrete deliverables.

Market Impact

Trump’s post immediately rattled global markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 550 points (1.2%), the S&P 500 fell 1.5%, and the Nasdaq plunged 2%.

Investors fear that a renewed trade war between the US and China could destabilize the global economy — especially ahead of the holiday shopping season when trade with China is vital.

Earlier this year, similar trade tensions nearly pushed markets into bear territory after both nations imposed reciprocal tariffs. Although tensions eased after mutual tariff reductions, Trump’s latest comments reignited concerns.

Rare Earths: The World’s Strategic Resource

Rare earths are crucial elements used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and advanced military equipment.

China currently dominates global rare earth production and supply, meaning any policy shift from Beijing can send shockwaves through international markets.

For the United States, dependence on Chinese rare earths has long been considered a strategic vulnerability. Beijing’s latest move is viewed as a direct threat to US economic and technological security.

While the situation may still evolve, rising tensions between the world’s two largest economies could have major implications for global stability — particularly in the tech and industrial sectors.

Goldman Sachs Raises 2026 Gold Price Forecast to 4900 USD per Ounce

Redaksi    Rabu, Oktober 08, 2025    Comment   

Goldman Sachs Raises 2026 Gold Price Forecast to 4900 USD per Ounce

Goldman Sachs Raises 2026 Gold Price Forecast to 4900 USD per Ounce.

Gold prices are expected to keep climbing in the coming year. Goldman Sachs, one of the world’s leading investment banks, has raised its 2026 gold price target to 4,900 USD per ounce, up from the previous forecast of 4,300 USD. The revision, announced on October 7, 2025, comes as global demand for gold surges—driven by central bank purchases and growing inflows into gold-based investment products such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Western markets. With current prices hovering around 3,977 USD per ounce, gold could gain roughly 23% next year.

According to a Reuters report, Goldman analysts said the outlook for gold remains “tilted to the upside,” supported by private investors diversifying into gold—a relatively small but increasingly attractive market. “ETF inflows could exceed our previous estimates based on interest rate movements,” Goldman noted in its research.

Data from Investing shows that spot gold prices reached 3,977 USD per ounce on Tuesday morning (Oct 7) at 7:15 a.m. WIB, nearing the psychological 4,000 USD mark. Over the past month, gold has risen 10.56%; over the past six months, it has surged 32%; and over the past year, it has soared 50%. The rally has been fueled by aggressive central bank purchases, strong ETF demand, a weakening US dollar, and rising investor appetite for safe-haven assets amid global geopolitical and trade tensions.

Goldman Sachs projects that central bank gold buying will remain strong—averaging around 80 tons in 2025 and 70 tons in 2026—mainly driven by emerging markets seeking to diversify their foreign reserves away from the US dollar. The bank also expects gold ETF holdings in Western countries to expand as the US Federal Reserve is projected to cut interest rates by about 100 basis points through mid-2026.

Although short-term speculative activity remains steady, Goldman said that the strong ETF inflows seen in September were not excessive but rather an adjustment to expectations of lower US interest rates. With all these factors combined, Goldman maintains a positive outlook for gold through 2026. If the forecast proves accurate, gold prices could reach a record high near 5,000 USD per ounce, cementing its position as a top safe-haven asset amid ongoing global uncertainty.

Meanwhile, domestic gold prices in Indonesia are also surging. As of October 7, 2025, digital physical gold on the Bareksa Super App stood at IDR 2,170,420 per gram (discounted from IDR 2,181,326), Pegadaian gold was priced at IDR 2,216,000 per gram, and Indogold at IDR 2,157,396 per gram. Over the past year, digital gold prices in Indonesia have climbed between 58% and 62.8%, while Antam gold bars reached IDR 2,284,000 per gram—up 54.53% year-on-year.

With the USD to IDR exchange rate at IDR 16,554 and global spot gold at 3,977 USD per ounce, this equals roughly IDR 2,116,610 per gram. Domestic prices are currently 1.9–7.9% higher than global spot prices, reflecting production costs, taxes, dealer margins, currency fluctuations, and liquidity premiums from strong physical demand in Indonesia.

Assuming the same exchange rate, if Goldman Sachs’s projection of 4,900 USD per ounce materializes in 2026, global spot gold could reach about IDR 2.6 million per gram. Adjusting for the current domestic premium, local gold prices could range between IDR 2.65 million and IDR 2.8 million per gram—an estimated 23% rise from today’s levels, aligning with Goldman’s forecast.

This potential surge in gold prices may have wide-reaching effects, especially for Indonesian retail investors who use gold as a hedge against inflation and currency weakness. However, market participants should still watch key factors like the Fed’s policy direction and geopolitical developments that could influence short-term volatility. If the bullish trend continues, 2026 could mark a historic milestone for gold—both globally and domestically.