“Some very strange things are happening in China! They are becoming very hostile, and sending letters to Countries throughout the World, that they want to impose Export Controls on each and every element of production having to do with Rare Earths, and virtually anything else they can think of, even if its not manufactured in China. Nobody has ever seen anything like this but, essentially, it would clog the Markets, and make life difficult for virtually every Country in the World, especially for China. We have been contacted by other Countries who are extremely angry at this great Trade hostility, which came out of nowhere. Our relationship with China over the past six months has been a very good one, thereby making this move on Trade an even more surprising one. I have always felt that theyve been lying in wait, and now, as usual, I have been proven right! There is no way that China should be allowed to hold the World captive, but that seems to have been their plan for quite some time, starting with the Magnets and, other Elements that they have quietly amassed into somewhat of a Monopoly position, a rather sinister and hostile move, to say the least. But the U.S. has Monopoly positions also, much stronger and more far reaching than Chinas. I have just not chosen to use them, there was never a reason for me to do so — UNTIL NOW! The letter they sent is many pages long, and details, with great specificity, each and every Element that they want to withhold from other Nations. Things that were routine are no longer routine at all. I have not spoken to President Xi because there was no reason to do so. This was a real surprise, not only to me, but to all the Leaders of the Free World. I was to meet President Xi in two weeks, at APEC, in South Korea, but now there seems to be no reason to do so. The Chinese letters were especially inappropriate in that this was the Day that, after three thousand years of bedlam and fighting, there is PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST. I wonder if that timing was coincidental? Dependent on what China says about the hostile order that they have just put out, I will be forced, as President of the United States of America, to financially counter their move. For every Element that they have been able to monopolize, we have two. I never thought it would come to this but perhaps, as with all things, the time has come. Ultimately, though potentially painful, it will be a very good thing, in the end, for the U.S.A. One of the Policies that we are calculating at this moment is a massive increase of Tariffs on Chinese products coming into the United States of America. There are many other countermeasures that are, likewise, under serious consideration. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” @realDonaldTrump

Fact-Check Summary

Trump’s post correctly notes that China announced new, broad export controls on rare earth elements and related items in October 2025, which is factually accurate and unprecedented. It is also factual that Trump threatened reciprocal tariffs and countermeasures, and that there were additional port fees imposed by both nations. However, the claim of achieving comprehensive “peace in the Middle East” is demonstrably false: the referenced Gaza ceasefire was a limited truce, not an end to centuries of regional conflict. Assertions about the United States holding stronger “monopoly positions” than China in critical elements are misleading; while the US has key technological strengths, neither nation has true monopolies. Descriptions of US-China relations as “very good” in preceding months are not supported by the continued record of tension, high tariffs, and stalled negotiations. Overall, Trump’s post blends fact with exaggeration and hyperbole, overstating diplomatic and strategic realities and mischaracterizing the scope and significance of recent developments.

Belief Alignment Analysis

The post relies heavily on dramatization and personalization, framing the issue as an antagonistic contest and exaggerating antagonism as well as diplomatic achievement. This rhetoric does not support the values of civil, factual, and inclusive discourse that strengthen democratic engagement. Hyperbolic claims about “three thousand years of bedlam” and U.S. monopoly power mislead the public and foster suspicion and division, rather than encouraging constructive policy debate or respect for the institutional context of international relations. The approach undermines public trust in nuanced, evidence-based discussion by conflating specific, verifiable developments with sweeping, unsupported historical assertions and speculative motives.

Opinion

While Trump’s post captures true elements about Chinese trade actions and US policy responses, it undermines credibility by exaggerating the significance of both the Middle East ceasefire and American technological leverage. Effective public communication and democratic accountability require greater precision, restraint, and evidence than the high-octane, grievance-driven language employed here. Such distortions do not empower the public and detract from the gravity of real international developments that deserve careful attention and collective response.

TLDR

China did impose new rare earth export controls, and both sides announced reciprocal trade penalties, as Trump states. However, his claim of historic “peace in the Middle East” is grossly exaggerated and not factual; US claims to stronger “monopoly positions” are overstated. The post is factually mixed, featuring accurate descriptions about rare earth policy but undermined by misleading and inflammatory assertions about history, diplomatic progress, and the state of US-China relations.

Claim: China has imposed unprecedented restrictions on rare earth exports; Trump achieved historic Middle East peace; the US has stronger monopoly positions in critical elements than China.

Fact: China did impose expanded rare earth export controls in October 2025, affecting global supply chains. Trump facilitated a limited Gaza ceasefire, but no comprehensive Middle East peace was reached. The US holds technological advantages in some areas but not absolute monopolies, and recent US-China relations have been strained, not harmonious.

Opinion: The post correctly highlights escalated trade actions but employs hyperbole and misleading historical context, distorting the reality of regional diplomacy and the true balance of economic power.

TruthScore: 4

True: China imposed new rare earth export controls; reciprocal tariffs and port fees were announced. Trump referenced an actual ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Hyperbole: Claims of “three thousand years of fighting” ending, “historic Middle East peace,” and US “monopolies much stronger and more far reaching.” Personalization of Chinese intent and strategic timing also exaggerates the facts.

Lies: No evidence supports the claim of comprehensive peace in the Middle East or that US monopoly positions surpass China’s in elemental or resource terms. Description of recent US-China relations as “very good” is inaccurate given ongoing trade hostilities.