Rare earth materials are indeed one more way China can retaliate, independent political analyst, Alessandro Bruno, told RT.

“It could put heavy restrictions on the rare earth metals that are necessary to make all kinds of electronic equipment, especially phones. This is a significant threat because the West does not have its own supply,” he explained.

The minerals are unsurprisingly not included on the US list of $200 billion worth of Chinese goods facing higher import tariffs. Shortly after Chinese and other media reported that Beijing is considering an embargo, shares of rare earth miners skyrocketed.

On Tuesday, the rare-earth sector jumped by 8.5 percent, according to Global Times. China Rare Earth Holdings Ltd enjoyed the biggest gains in the industry as its shares soared 108 percent.

The strategic importance of rare earth elements, which are mostly metals so the group is often referred to as “rare earth metals,” is hard to overestimate. We use them every day even without knowing it – from your smartphone to a laptop to hybrid or electric vehicles. Rare earths are also used in modern weapons, for example in missile guidance systems and fighter jets.

So it is obvious that American industries would suffer a painful blow should China cut the supplies. The most painful part for the US is that China has a virtual monopoly in the sphere, as it accounts for around 80 percent of the imports, according to the US Geological Survey. This could make Beijing's ban on such materials a nuclear option against Washington.

The US used to be the largest rare-earths-producing country in 1990, but China has stolen the crown long ago. In 2018, Beijing mined 120,000 tons of the materials – a 15,000-ton increase compared to a year earlier, while the US produced just 15,000 tons in total. China holds 44 million tons of the elements if its reserves, while the US just 1.4 million tons.

The domestic transport revenue of the Tavantolgoi-Gashuunsukhait railway is about USD 8, while the transport revenue of the Tavantolgoi-Zuunbayan railway will be USD 20 (per what? Add measure). The Tavantolgoi-Zuunbayan railway line is scheduled to be completed in 2020 starting from May. A total of 3,647 people will work on the construction of the tunnel and dam, while 1,144 people will participate in building the other development works.

There are seven tasks to build a railway:

● Pre-construction work ● Laying bottom ballast

● Top ballast

● Water supply

● Electricity

● Connection

● Building

“The first task, pre-construction activities will be undertaken by the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF). Ulaanbaatar Railway will be responsible for the construction of the top ballast, the others will be done by the chosen domestic companies, and 36,000-meter cubic soil work will have completed. MAF and subcontractors will do the soil work,” the Deputy Minister of Road and Transportation.

On the first day of the visit, Minister D.Tsogtbaatar held official talks with his Czech counterpart Tomas Petricek, exchanging views on expansion of bilateral cooperation in trade, economy, agriculture, culture and education, addressing social protection issues of Mongolian citizens in the Czech Republic, facilitating travelling conditions and joint celebration of the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2020.

During his visit, Minister D.Tsogtbaatar signed some documents including the Cooperation Agreement on Social Protection between Mongolia and the Czech Republic, Intergovernmental Agreement on the return of illegal residents, Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports of Mongolia and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic on education, science and youth issues and the Agreement on cultural cooperation between the Ministries as well.

By signing the cooperation agreement on social protection, it will be possible to address the social welfare issues of Mongolian expats in the Czech Republic. Mongolia has over 9000 residing expats in the country, the most number of expats in the European Union countries.

Foreign Minister visited the Charles University in Prague, the oldest university in central Europe, meeting with the university administration and sharing views with the professors and students of Mongolian studies, who are making valuable contribution to the development of Mongolian studies in Europe.

Within the framework of his visit, Minister D.Tsogtbaatar paid courtesy call on the President of the Senate Jaroslav Kubera, exchanging views on relations and cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries, and handed over the invitation from the Parliament Speaker G.Zandanshatar to visit Mongolia.

G.Amartuvshin has become well known to the public after being included in the panel of judges of the ‘Shark Tank’, TV show.

Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh "has ordered relevant officials to provide an allowance of 20,000 Mongolian tugriks (over 7.5 U.S. dollars) per month to all children aged up to 18 ... starting from June 1," the statement said.

According to the country's National Statistics Office, around 33 percent of Mongolia's total 3.2 million population are children aged 0-18.

For now, only children from low- and middle-income families across the country receive such a benefit under the Child Money Program, which was launched in 2005.

CEO of Jade Methane Joseph Burke said “Mongolia is close to the market of key customers in methane gas. It is seen as a major competitive advantage since the natural gas reserves are relatively close to 600km from Ulaanbaatar. China receives natural gas from other countries through its northern port. Instead of that, if they export natural gas and methane gas from Mongolia, China will have the opportunity to deliver at least cost to its core customers.”

The Board of Directors of Erdenes Mongol LLC made a decision to raise funds from the international market by exchanging exploration and feasibility studies for the Coal Seam methane gas project by foreign investors last year. According to this, Erdenes Methane announced an open tender and Australia's Jade Methane was chosen as the foreign investor to cooperate on the project.

Iran’s exports to Mongolia stood at 442 tons worth $253,712, down 14.82% and 69.35% in tonnage and value respectively year-on-year.

Iran mainly exported floorings, raisins, pineapple juice and chocolates to Mongolia during the 12-month period.

Mongolia exported 2,102 tons of goods worth $11.18 million to Iran, down 18.77% and 20.45% in tonnage and value and value respectively YOY. Mongolia was the 70th exporter of goods to Iran over the year and its main commodities included lamb and mutton.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs D.Davaasuren yesterday received the delegates, exchanging views on broadening trade and economic cooperation between Mongolia and the EEC, particularly, possibilities of triggering joint research works on establishing Free Trade Agreement between the two sides.

While agreeing to hold the third meeting of the joint working group of the Government of Mongolia and the EEC in October in Moscow, the sides decided to jointly organize a business meeting of Mongolian and the EEC’s businessmen during the third meeting.

The EEC delegates will also have meetings with authorities of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, the General Agency for Specialized Inspection, the Mongolian Agency for Standardization and Metrology and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry to share views on possibilities of expanding bilateral cooperation.

The EEC is a regional largest economic integration organization that includes five countries: the Russian Fede

G.Batkhuu, who was president of the Shunkhlai Group, one of Mongolia’s top fuel importers, had been participating in an awards ceremony for the Top-100 enterprises, organized by the cabinet as well as meeting some of the country’s amateur auto racers.

An investigation is underway into what happened just a few hundred meters from the Presidential Administration and the Parliamentary Chamber.