Trump’s trade strategy targets China’s dominance in energy, metals, and tech 

President Trump this week walked back his tariffs on most countries, choosing to target just one adversary: China. After a series of escalations, the White House says tariffs on goods imported from China now total 145 percent. 

Part of the Trump administration’s philosophy on tariffs is that they are a tool to punish bad actors and protect America’s national security, and they view China as a bad actor.  

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo laid it out plainly: “They have been ripping off the United States, they have been stealing our intellectual property. The tariffs on the Chinese Communist Party have multiple objectives, including American national security.” 

RELATED: Trump’s Tariff Gamble 

To get a clear picture of why the Trump administration wants to end America’s reliance on China, just look at the critical industries where China is effectively a monopoly:  

Energy 

Over 80 percent of the world’s solar panels come from China. 

The U.S. Department of Energy warns China controls the production and refining of 80 percent of the rare earth metals that are key to direct drives in wind turbines. 

China produces three quarters of all lithium-ion batteries sold globally. China controls 100 percent of graphite processing, which is needed for battery anodes. And China processes about 70 percent of lithium and cobalt, two other important ingredients in batteries, according to the Financial Times.  

Metals 

China makes 54 percent of the world’s steel, over 12 times the amount America produces. 

About 70 percent of the world’s lithium and cobalt is processed in China. 

China produces 60 percent of all aluminum. 

Electronics  

China produces up to 80 percent of the world’s smartphones, including 90 percent of Apple’s iPhones. 

About three quarters of LCD screens (those on laptops and TVs), along with over half of the newer OLED screens are made in China. 

China says they produce 80 percent of air conditioners, 60 percent of refrigerators, and half of small home appliances. 

All told, the Financial Times reports that China supplies at least half of global exports for 730 unique products, ranging from computers to wigs.  

These critical industries being dominated by China makes the White House nervous, for good reason. China routinely threatens its neighbors and tries to claim their territory, they have made no secret of their desire to invade and annex Taiwan, and U.S. officials and allies constantly accuse China of hacking and stealing trade secrets. 

For President Trump, it’s common sense: the critical industries that underpin America’s economy and national security cannot be controlled a country that is this hostile to the interests of the U.S.