China’s Control of Critical Minerals Poses Major Risk to US Security

Experts warn that China’s dominance in critical minerals threatens US national security and economic stability

China’s Control of Critical Minerals Poses Major Risk to US Security
China’s Control of Critical Minerals Poses Major Risk to US Security

Los Angeles: So, here’s the deal. China has a serious grip on critical minerals, and experts are sounding the alarm. They say this could really mess with US national security if the government doesn’t step up its game.

These minerals are essential for everything from smartphones to military gear. The US is in a tight spot because China controls a whopping 70% of the world’s supply and about 90% of the processing. That’s a lot of power in one country’s hands.

Pini Althaus, the CEO of USA Rare Earth, put it bluntly: relying on China for defense is just crazy. If things go south between the US and China, they could cut off supplies, and that would be a disaster for industries like auto and tech.

China has been playing the long game, using subsidies to corner the market and manipulate prices. They’ve even been buying up mineral rights in Africa and other places. When the US tries to catch up, China just floods the market, making it impossible for American companies to compete.

Recently, China banned exports of some critical minerals to the US, which is a big deal. They’ve done this before, like back in 2010 with Japan. The US has some mineral reserves, but the permitting process is a nightmare, taking years to get through.

Meanwhile, China has almost no restrictions on mining, which makes it easier for them to dominate. Experts suggest the US should team up with countries like Canada and Australia to strengthen its supply chain.

Rob Wittman, a US lawmaker, is pushing for new bills to boost the US critical mineral supply and reduce reliance on China. He believes the US can create alternatives quickly, but it’s going to take some serious effort.

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