The U. S. is aiming to reduce its reliance on Chinese rare earth minerals, which are crucial for technology and defense. President Trump's recent executive order and tariffs on Chinese imports highlight this initiative, but significant challenges remain.
1. Control and Dependence: China controls 80% of global rare earth processing, while the U. S. has limited refining capabilities despite its mineral reserves.
2. Critical Minerals: Rare earth elements like dysprosium and terbium are essential for products like F-35 jets and iPhones, making U. S. dependence a national security risk.
3. Tariffs and Retaliation: Trump's executive order placed 145% tariffs on many Chinese imports, leading to Chinese export restrictions on critical minerals.
4. Proposed Supply Chain Goals: The Pentagon aims for a self-sufficient supply chain from mine to magnet by 2027, but achieving full independence could take five years or more.
5. Domestic Efforts: Initiatives are underway, such as American Rare Earths developing a refinery and MP Materials producing rare earth oxides, but many U. S. projects still export ores to China.
6. Obstacles to Progress: Challenges include permitting delays, insufficient domestic refining capacity, and financial hurdles in funding rare earth mining projects.
7. Urgency for Action: Experts stress that U. S. action is critical to avoiding a future supply crisis due to China’s constraints.
Trump's attempts to establish a self-sufficient rare earth supply chain are essential for national security, but sustaining long-term independence will require overcoming substantial obstacles and significant investment in domestic production.
https://www.naturalnews.com/2025-04-27-trumps-rare-earths-push-break-china-stranglehold.html
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