The article discusses the impact of President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats, including a proposed 25% levy on Japanese goods, as Japan and other Asian nations face increased pressure from the US.

• 23 nations received tariff letters, with 14 in Asia, as negotiations seem to yield limited results.
• Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister of Japan, labeled the tariffs “deeply regrettable.”
• The deadline for countries to negotiate with the US is set for August 1, raising concerns about the long-term implications for global trade.

The US government is set to become the largest shareholder in the only operational rare earths mine in the country, located in Mountain Pass, California, aiming to reduce dependency on imports from China.

• The Department of Defense has agreed to a minimum price of $110 per kg for neodymium and praseodymium output over the next 10 years.
• MP Materials, the mine's owner, will establish a new facility in the US to process raw materials, funded by $400m from the Department.
• This move comes amidst concerns about China's control over the rare earths market, which has sparked tensions and trade disputes between the two nations.