The Download: China’s mineral ban, and three technologies to watch

This week, China banned the export of several key minerals to the United States, the latest in an escalating series of tit-for-tat trade restrictions between the world’s two largest economies.

By explicitly cutting off, rather than merely restricting, materials of strategic importance to the semiconductor, defense and electric vehicle industries, China has apparently crossed a new boundary in its long-simmering trade war.

But at the same time, its selection of minerals will not cripple any industry, giving China ample ammunition to inflict greater economic pain to counter any further trade restrictions that the incoming Trump administration may impose. Learn more about what’s driving China’s decision, how it affects climate technology, and what’s likely to happen next.

——James Temple

This story is part of the MIT Technology Review Explained series. Let our writers unpack the complex, confusing world of technology and help you understand what’s coming next. You can read more from the series here.

3 things that didn’t make the list of the 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2025

Next month, “MIT Technology Review” will announce the list of 10 breakthrough technologies in 2025. Every year, our newsroom looks at the areas we cover, looking for technologies that are delivering real breakthroughs. This annual package highlights the technologies we believe are most important right now.

At the same time, we considered the following three technologies for inclusion in the 2025 list, but ultimately decided against them. Even though these nominees didn’t advance this year, they’re still worthy of attention. Read the full story.