China's dominance in rare earths minerals can cause a shortage for US consumers in everything from cars to TV remotes.

The US trade war with China has a major sticking point: rare earths minerals. Last month, President Donald Trump said the United States needed Greenland “very badly,” renewing his threat to annex the Danish territory.

The U.S. trade "deal" with China highlights how dependent Americans are on Chinese rare earth minerals, creating an economic vulnerability.