Taiwan Strait Tensions

China’s Commerce Ministry announced Tuesday it is banning exports to Japan of goods that could be used for military purposes, including dual‑use items and potentially rare‑earth minerals, escalating tensions with a key U.S. ally as frictions over Taiwan grow. The move comes days after Chinese live‑fire blockade drills around Taiwan and Xi Jinping’s declaration that 'reunification' with the island is 'unstoppable,' while Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has warned that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could pose a 'survival‑threatening' situation for Japan under its self‑defense laws.