The next battle in the US-China trade war could very well center on rare earth minerals that are vital to the production of smartphones, electric car motors, refrigerators, computers and jet engines. China has the bulk of these critical elements globally and could ban exports to the U.S. if frictions worsen. The result would be a major blow to the U.S., which depends mainly on China for producing rare earth magnets. But don't discount American ingenuity and knowhow. A high-tech manufacturer in central Texas, Urban Mining Company, has developed groundbreaking technology to cost effectively recycle rare earth magnets ... (full story)