PDB Afternoon Bulletin | April 15th, 2025: China Halts Rare Earth Exports In Latest Retaliation & Illegal Border Crossings Plummet To Record Lows | The President's Daily Brief Brief

Key takeaways

China halts rare earth exports and Boeing orders in escalation of trade war with US
Illegal border crossings drop to record lows under Trump's renewed hardline policies

China Retaliates in Trade War China has cut off exports of essential rare earth minerals and halted jet orders from Boeing in response to US tariffs. This move threatens to disrupt US industries reliant on these materials, including automakers, aerospace, and defense. China controls 60% of rare earth production and 90% of processing, giving it significant leverage. The export halt applies globally and could take up to 45 days for new export licenses to be issued.

Border Crossings Plummet New data shows illegal crossings at the US southern border have dropped to historic lows under the Trump administration. March saw just 7,200 apprehensions, down 95% from March 2024. CBP attributes this to aggressive enforcement measures and a clear message that illegal crossers will be deported. The Darien Gap, once teeming with migrants, saw only 400 crossings in February compared to 37,000 last year.

Policy Impact The dramatic reduction in border crossings is seen as vindication of Trump's hardline immigration agenda. CBP officials describe it as confirmation that stricter policies can reverse migratory surges. The administration views the data as proof its approach is working and a rebuke of its predecessor's immigration record. Goals like "operational control" of the border, once aspirational, are now being achieved according to officials.

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | April 15th, 2025: China Halts Rare Earth Exports In Latest Retaliation & Illegal Border Crossings Plummet To Record Lows

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