China’s grip on the rare earth supply chain has become one of the most powerful strategic advantages in the modern world. While the U.S. shows strength through military power and sanctions, China built control over the raw materials that power nearly all advanced technology. It now mines 70% of rare earths, refines 91%, and produces 94% of the magnets used in EVs, chips, and weapons turning resources into geopolitical leverage.
This year Beijing tightened export restrictions on most rare earths, extending them to the technology and machinery used to process them. Any product containing even traces of Chinese origin materials now needs government approval to export, giving China enormous influence over global supply chainsThe U.S. military relies heavily on these elements, an F-35 jet alone requires more than 400 kilograms of rare earths. The restrictions directly hit defense applications, leaving contractors scrambling for alternatives. The ripple effects extend across clean energy and tech industries: wind turbines, EVs, and chipmaking tools all face shortages and rising costs.China’s dominance exists because others let it happen. The U.S. once mined rare earths but sent them to China for refining, allowing Beijing to master every stage from mining to magnet production. Now even new projects abroad depend on Chinese equipment and expertise.Washington and its allies are trying to catch up. The Pentagon is investing in companies like MP Materials to rebuild domestic capacity, while Australia, Japan, and others work to diversify supply. But experts warn it could take 15–20 years to achieve real independence, as China’s integrated ecosystem, low costs, and ability to flood markets keep it far ahead.Each time China weaponizes its control, it pushes others to act faster. For now, the world remains largely dependent on Beijing for the materials that power its weapons, technology, and clean energy future and China knows it.Source: StockMarket.News
The copyright of this article belongs to the original author/organization.
The views expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not reflect the stance of the platform. The content is intended for investment reference purposes only and shall not be considered as investment advice. Please contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding the content services provided by the platform.
