1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
In focus
Press freedomIranGerman politics
Latest audioLatest videos
Live TV
TradeChina

Battle for rare earths: How much power does China hold?

26:04

This browser does not support the video element.

July 3, 2025

Cars, phones and fighter jets — nearly every high-tech product contains rare earths. And most of them come from China. How vulnerable does that make western industrial nations? Our guests: Felix Lee (SZ-Dossier), Tim Borgschulte (Noble BC GmbH), Mareike Ohlberg (GmfUS)

Image: DW

 

 

Felix Lee,

from German broadsheet Süddeutsche Zeitung – former China correspondent and economic journalist 
 

 

Image: DW

 

 

Tim Borgschulte,

CFO of Noble BC GmbH, a company trading in rare earths 
 

 

Image: DW

 

 

Mareike Ohlberg,

China expert at the German Marshall Fund 

Skip next section More on Trade from Asia

More on Trade from Asia

India-Germany ties: What New Delhi expects from Berlin

As Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits India, New Delhi's agenda includes trade, defense and tech ties.
TradeJanuary 11, 202603:34 min

China's Arctic ambition eyes raw materials, military bases

Once uninhabitable, the Arctic is now becoming the new frontier for global powers vying for influence.
TradeNovember 24, 202502:23 min

India's textile industry threatened by new US tariffs

The US has threatened to increase tariffs on Indian products to 50%. For textile exporters, this could be devastating.
TradeAugust 26, 202502:42 min
Show more
Skip next section More on Trade from around the world

More on Trade from around the world

EU advances Mercosur South America trade deal despite strife

The deal will link Europe with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay for one of the world's largest free-trade zones.
TradeJanuary 9, 202603:13 min

Global trade overdependent on US and China, says WTO head

Speaking with DW at the G20 summit, the WTO's director general also highlighted the potential benefits of AI in trade.
TradeNovember 24, 202512:39 min

Germany's potato surplus puts the pinch on farmers

A record-high surplus of potatoes in Germany has driven down prices for consumers, but come at a big cost for farmers.
TradeOctober 26, 202502:34 min
Show more
Skip next section About the show

About the show

To the point — International Debate from Berlin

Strong opinions, clear points of view, international agendas. Three journalists join our presenter and go straight to the point on an international issue that’s making news. It’s controversy and confrontation. It’s background and analysis. It’s the issues that are moving our world.

Go to show To the point
Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Iran war: Trump reviewing new Tehran proposal with doubt

Tehran said the "ball is in the US' court" to choose whether to pursue diplomacy or confrontation. DW has more.
ConflictsMay 3, 2026

What are the sticking points in US-Iran peace negotiations?

PoliticsMay 3, 202619:54 min

Trump says cutting US troops in Germany 'a lot further'

PoliticsMay 3, 2026

Ramstein mayor: Air base a 'global gateway' for US military

PoliticsMay 2, 202605:30 min
Skip next section More stories from DW

More stories from DW

Go to homepage