NewsTracker Answers for week of Apr 21, 2025

Q: After President Donald Trump raised tariffs to 145% on most of China’s exports, China raised its tariffs on US goods to 125% and suspended its exports of rare earth minerals and magnets essential to manufacturing and military defense. Where is China?

Circle the area on this map

Q: China processes 90% of the world’s rare earth elements needed to build vehicles, aircraft, electronics, weapons, and many other products. Where are rare earth minerals found?

A. Only in China

B. In 14 countries

C. All over the world

C. Despite the name, rare earth elements are relatively abundant worldwide, but the minerals are not often found in concentrated deposits that make it economical to mine and process. China has the largest rare earth deposits in the world. The United States has one mine and no real ability to process rare earth minerals.

Q: Trump’s tariffs specifically excluded Chinese exports of rare earth minerals and magnets, but China now requires importers to obtain licenses for these products essential to defense. How does US military spending compare to China?

A. About half as much as China

B. About the same as China

C. About twice as much as China

D. About three times as much as China

D. The United States spent $916 billion on defense in 2023, compared with $296 million spent by China, the second biggest spender. Withholding China’s rare earth products from US military contractors could threaten our ability to modernize or maintain weapons. Such a move could also raise tensions between the rival military powers.

Q: A trade war between the United States and China could raise prices and seriously injure the world’s largest economies and importers and exporters. Which nation bought the most US goods in 2023?

A. Canada

B. China

C. Germany

D. Mexico

A. Canada bought 14% of the $3 trillion in goods the US exported in 2023, according to the CIA World Factbook. It was followed by Mexico at 13%, China at 8%, and Germany at 5%. China exported $3.5 trillion in 2023, with 13% going to the US, 8% to Hong Kong, 5% to Japan, and 5% to Germany.

Q: The United States imported $3.8 trillion in goods in 2023 and recently increased tariffs on almost everything it imports. Other than China, which nation sold the most goods to the US in 2023?

A. Canada

B. Germany

C. Japan

D. Mexico

D. The United States bought 15% of its imports from China, 15% from Mexico, 14% from Canada, 5% from Germany, and 5% from Japan. China imported $3.1 trillion in 2023 – 7% from the United States, 7% from South Korea, 6% from Australia, 6% from Japan, and 6% from Russia.