The tentative deal between the United States and China may represent a retreat from the worst-case scenario of a total collapse of trade between the world's two biggest economies, but it creates more problems than it solves.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States and China have come to an agreement over trade and the acquisition of rare earth minerals. "Our deal with China is done, subject to final approval with President Xi and me,

The U.S. trade "deal" with China highlights how dependent Americans are on Chinese rare earth minerals, creating an economic vulnerability.