U.S. official draws fire from domestic netizens for response to China's rare earth export measures

(ECNS) -- China's recent export control measures on items related to superhard materials, rare earth equipment and materials, and batteries – effective on November 8, have triggered a strong reaction from the U.S. government. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 10 that the U.S. would impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting on Nov. 1, causing U.S. stocks to plummet shortly after.

On Thursday, U.S. Representative Ro Khanna posted a video on X, calling on Trump to implement a so-called "Manhattan Project" to end dependence on Chinese rare earth.

However, instead of gaining widespread support, the video sparked intense criticism and accusations toward him and the U.S. government.

A user named "larry" (@larryblock8) criticized: "Instead of taking responsibility for the U.S. dropping the ball on rare earths all these years, you're blaming China?"

"Why haven't we heard you or any other Politician talk about our critical rare earth deficiencies until now? All that TV time attacking political opponents and grandstanding yet nothing on RE (rare earth), National Debt, Excessive Spending/money printing, energy generation deficiencies etc. Disingenuous/pathetic," he wrote.

 A comment on a post by U.S. Representative Ro Khanna on X, posted on Thursday.

"JJ" (@Jj63927499J) reminded the U.S. government of what it has done with semiconductor chips against China for over a decade. "You even forced & coordinated Taiwan TSMC, S Korea Samsung Hynix & Netherlands ASML for ‘chip act' against China," the X user wrote.

 A comment on a post by U.S. Representative Ro Khanna on X, posted on Thursday.

"Here is a ‘progressive' laundering Trump talking points. None of this would have happened if the U.S. hadn't kept trying to interfere with China's development. Also, the U.S. isn't the world," X user "Lord of Disdain, an optimist" (@RemyLeBruh) commented.

Another X user "hic rhodus hic salta" (@PageLyndon) said China is not an enemy and the U.S. should build the world with China together.

 A comment on a post by U.S. Representative Ro Khanna on X, posted on Thursday.

Ryan Grimaldy (@ryan grimaldy) suggested that the sooner America learns how to work with china, the better.

The rare earth dispute has exposed a glaring contradiction in American politics: "America is against itself." Whether it's the U.S. government's tariff threats or Representative Ro Khanna's "Manhattan Plan," these threats have failed to rally the country. While political elites are obsessed with finding scapegoats to divert attention, the American public are waking up to a harsh truth that the real crisis stems not from China's export controls, but from America's own chaos.

To break the paradox of "America is pitted against itself," the U.S. must move beyond the regular practice of deflecting domestic tensions outward and confront its internal challenges with a more constructive approach.

(By Zhang Dongfang)