A Chinese-backed militia is protecting new rare earth mines in eastern Myanmar, according to four people familiar with the matter, as Beijing moves to secure control of the minerals it is wielding as a bargaining chip in its trade war with Washington.

Automakers are having to find ways to work around the cutback, such as using older technology that is more costly and less efficient, moving some parts manufacture to China, removing certain special features that need magnets such as adjustable seats and high-end speaker systems,

Rare earths, particularly the small but powerful magnets made from them, are essential to countless high-tech applications. These include EVs, smartphones, wind turbines, and military equipment