China’s Dominance in Rare Earth Elements and Its Uncertain Future

In a recent trade deal, China made commitments to ensure the stable supply of rare earth elements to the United States, highlighting America’s reliance on a strategic competitor for these critical materials. Despite not being scarce, rare earth elements pose challenges due to their complex processing requirements, making clean and efficient extraction difficult. China strategically invested in mining and processing capabilities for rare earths, establishing dominance in global production while tolerating environmental and human costs. Over time, Western processing facilities closed, and China emerged as the primary hub for rare-earth refining, controlling over 90% of processing worldwide. China’s control over…