According to a report by The Washington Post, China and Iran have effectively weaponized the global economy to counter the United States by manipulating supply chains and leveraging their economic ties. The report highlights instances such as China's restriction on rare earth mineral exports to the US and Iran's recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has led to increased oil prices globally. Historically, the US maintained a near-monopoly on economic warfare, punishing nations through financial sanctions and technology restrictions. However, the dynamics have shifted, with US Treasury officials admitting a lack of foresight regarding energy market impacts related to geopolitical conflicts. The report emphasizes that the global economy, once designed for a cooperative environment, must now adapt to a period of intensifying competition. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed concerns that foreign nations' economic leverage could hinder US foreign policy, urging diversification of supply lines. The report concludes that the US must rethink its economic strategies in light of these developments.