🌍 Trade War: The Rare Earth Metals China Controls and the US Needs

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) — like Neodymium, Yttrium, and Scandium — are the foundation of modern technology, used in everything from fighter jets and EV motors to smartphones and earbuds.

⚙️ What Makes REEs Crucial

These elements create strong, heat-resistant, magnetic materials, essential for defense tech, green energy, and electronics. Most are used to make high-performance magnets that power modern machines.

🇨🇳 China’s Near-Monopoly

China controls about 70% of REE mining and over 90% of processing. It achieved this dominance through decades of strategic planning and lower environmental restrictions, giving it major leverage in global trade.

🌎 Why Others Depend on China

REEs exist worldwide, but producing them is toxic and expensive. Other nations outsourced this “dirty” work to China, which can produce them far cheaper — keeping global tech affordable but dependent.

⚔️ Rising Trade Tensions

China’s recent export restrictions have escalated tensions, while the US considers heavy tariffs in response. The US still holds an advantage with its ultra-pure quartz — vital for chip and solar production.

Bottom line: Control over rare earths means control over the future of technology.

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