China

China is a large country in East Asia with a very long history, an ancient civilization and culture. The heart of China covers the fertile area. China has sought contact with the United States to conclude a trade deal. China has about 90 percent of the world's seventeen critical rare earth metals. China is limiting the export of rare earth metals because it does not want the metals to fall into the hands of the Americans and specifically the American defense industry. The restrictions of China have a strong signaling function. The Chinese customs has indicated that it needs about two months to check everything. After that, the rare earth metals may be exported again, but I expect that they will do it in limited volumes to maintain good control. The good news is that the negotiating position of Europe and thus also the Netherlands is better than with the United States. Now that China is at odds with the US, the country emphasizes even more than before that it attaches great value to ties with Europe.