Rare earth trade wars - de-globalization as a growing theme

The theme of de-globalization is starting to take hold with the behavior of countries to trade. Oddly, the flash point for trade wars may be the rare earths issue with China. 

The complaint to the WTO included Japan which has usually taken bilateral approach to trade issues. Japan has always followed a more mercantilist policy so they have cut their own path on trade. Joining the US and the EU shows that trade negotiations is changing significantly.

The European Commission is interested in investigating trade issues with China even if there is no complaint from companies, There is now the belief that China will retaliate against companies that complain so governments will have to do the work directly. 

The financial crisis is over and growth has been slow, so governments are turning to methods to improve trade share by taking it from other countries.