How Bad Would It Get If China Blocks Rare Earths to America?

Taiwan is the next pressure point that will test China’s weaponization of rare earth metals. When Japan indicated it would not remain neutral in a Taiwan conflict, Beijing responded by sharply restricting exports of several heavy rare earth materials, including dysprosium and terbium. Japan was the test case. With U.S.-China tensions escalating, a confrontation could likely lead to an immediate blockade of Chinese rare earths to American markets, pressuring U.S. defense without firing a single shot. From a defense perspective, it would be disastrous for a Pentagon that is busy rebuilding the $28 billion worth of weapons depleted so far…