Rare Earths and Empty Promises: Did America Just Make a Deal with the Devil?

By Order of the Peaky F***ing Blinders

Right so I'm hearin' whispers from across the water deals bein' struck between Uncle Sam and the fellas in Beijing. Rare earths they're callin' it. Sounds like somethin' Arthur would dig up in the garden after a bad opium binge. Truth is these rocks are power. And power well that's the only language anyone understands innit? They say China's loosenin' the grip on these precious minerals and the Yanks are pullin' back on some of their restrictions. Sounds like a fairytale don't it? But in this world there are no happy endings. Just pauses.

The Devil You Know...

Trump bless his cotton socks claims they 'just signed' somethin' with China. More like they scribbled somethin' on a napkin after too much whiskey. The White House boys are already backpedaling callin' it an 'understanding'. See that's the problem with deals ain't it? Everyone's got their own interpretation. Just like Polly and her prophecies it all depends on how you want to see it. Trust is a luxury we can't afford especially when it comes to the Chinese. They smile to your face and stab you in the back with a smile.

Geneva and Broken Promises

Apparently they tried this dance before in Geneva. But the music stopped when China dragged its feet on the rare earths and America tightened the screws on tech and student visas. Sound familiar? History repeats itself always. Makes you wonder if they're all just playin' us for fools. As my mother always said ‘you’ll attract more with honey than vinegar'… unless you’re trying to get someone to tell you where they buried the money.

Rare Earths: A National Security Headache

This fella Montufar Helu some think tanker is preachin' caution. He reckons these rare earths are vital for national security on both sides. Well no bloody duh! It is what it is. China he says will likely keep a tight leash on these goods. Smart move. Control the supply control the game. It's a lesson I taught Finn way back. Never give away your advantage.

90 Days of Peace? Don't Bet On It.

The Yanks and the Chinese already had a preliminary agreement to suspend tariffs for 90 days. All seems a bit iffy if you ask me. They all did what they had to do and now its the waiting game that I know more than anyone. 90 days of peace is a fool's dream. More like 90 days to sharpen your knives and plan your next move. You've got to be a devil to live in this world.

The Only Certainty is Uncertainty

So what's the verdict? This deal smells like a three day old kipper. Maybe it'll work. Maybe it won't. Either way I'll be watchin'. Always. Because in this game you either move forward or you die. And I for one ain't ready to meet me maker just yet. So keep your friends close and your enemies closer and keep your eyes open and ears to the ground because the devil is always in the details.