Professor Emerita of  Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elisabeth Larus was quoted in RTI News on China’s decision to restrict exports of rare earths and minerals. Larus said the move was aimed at pressuring the U.S. President ahead of a tariff deadline, but instead reignited a cycle of escalating trade threats. “Xi may have overplayed his hand,” she noted, adding that the restrictions could backfire by accelerating U.S. efforts to develop alternative sources and reduce reliance on China. Read the article from RTI News.

Other media mentions for Larus include:

China Gathers Allies to Shape Global Security Vision (Deutsche Welle)
Larus commented in Deutsche Welle on this year’s Xiangshan Forum, China’s annual international security gathering. Larus indicated that the U.S. decision to send a lower-level Pentagon official to the gathering does not indicate a lack of interest on the part of the U.S. administration, but the choice of the U.S. representative indicates that the real discussions are happening through back channels and not in front of the cameras. Larus also commented that China’s leader Xi Jinping would use the forum as an opportunity to promote his peace narrative on issues ranging from the Ukraine war to the South China Sea and Taiwan despite Beijing’s support for Russia and China’s increasing aggression in the Asia-Pacific. Read more.