Report: China running massive disinformation campaign against United States, Canada businesses 

According to a report published this week by ANI, China is allegedly running a massive disinformation campaign on social media against US and Canadian businesses, calling them environmentally irresponsible, in retaliation for the Biden administration’s interests in upping the US’ involvement in the production of rare earth materials.

The US Geological Survey describes rare earth materials as “necessary components of more than 200 products across a wide range of applications, especially high-tech consumer products, such as cellular telephones, computer hard drives, electric and hybrid vehicles, and flat-screen monitors and televisions. Significant defense applications include electronic displays, guidance systems, lasers, and radar and sonar systems.” There are a total of 17 rare earth elements.

Prior to 2008, the United States, along with China, had been an important player in the production and supply of rare earth materials. Upon taking the presidency, President Biden pushed for the United States to renew its efforts in the rare earth space.

In retaliation for what Beijing reportedly views as a US effort to overshadow China’s role in the global rare earth market, China allegedly launched a huge online disinformation campaign against US and Canada-based Lynas Rare Earth Ltd.

The campaign was carried out under the name Dragonbridge. Chinese operatives posed as concerned citizens who were worried about what they said was an environmentally irresponsible company opening rare earth mines in locations in the US and Canada. The campaign was carried out on Facebook and Twitter, according to the report by US-based global think-tank Global Strat View. 

China has denied allegations of launching a disinformation campaign, saying China is the victim of such campaigns.