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How China has taken lead in rare earths race

Illustration: Henry Wong


News

China

Economy

In US-China battle over rare earths, developing nations are the front line

Illustration: Henry Wong

China has a stranglehold over the rare earths supply chain. Photo: Reuters

The US wants to develop a fully domestic rare earths supply chain. Photo: Reuters

Rare earths are used in everything from smartphones to wind turbines. Photo: Reuters

Multilateral moves to break Chinese dominance of the supply chain are largely diplomatic and many solutions are long-term, analysts say.


For the US, it’s Mountain Pass – or fail – in bid to supplant China’s rare earth supremacy

China spent decades carving out a commanding lead in the rare earth realm. Now the US wants its old piece of the supply chain back – is it still within reach?


How China used rare earths and the US playbook to turn on the chip tap again

Washington tried to slow Chinese AI progress with export bans, a tactic Beijing later employed to regain some ground.


Could the US and Europe go rare earth-free to escape China’s magnetic pull?

 Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

A monument, which reads “the home of rare earths welcomes you” stands in a field of wind turbines near the town of Damao in Inner Mongolia. Photo: Reuters

China dominates the production of rare earths. Photo: Reuters

Researchers have been seeking alternatives to rare earth magnets, especially in areas where advanced performance is not essential. Photo: AP

Researchers have been seeking alternative ways to produce the magnets needed to make everything from mobile phones to military equipment.


Rare earths are needed for everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, wind turbines and fighter jets. In this four-part series, we look at the race for these critical minerals, how China has taken a commanding role in the industry and what the US is doing to battle back.


Series

How China has taken lead in rare earths race

Rare earths are needed for everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, wind turbines and fighter jets. In this four-part series, we look at the race for these critical minerals, how China has taken a commanding role in the industry and what the US is doing to battle back.

‘Too far ahead’: can the US upskill to compete with China on rare earths?

Multilateral moves to break Chinese dominance of the supply chain are largely diplomatic and many solutions are long-term, analysts say.

Why America’s brute-force effort on rare earths may not work against China

China spent decades carving out a commanding lead in the rare earth realm. Now the US wants its old piece of the supply chain back – is it still within reach?

How China used rare earths to turn on the US chip tap again

Washington tried to slow Chinese AI progress with export bans, a tactic Beijing later employed to regain some ground.

‘Reduce reliance’: can US and Europe break free from China’s rare earth grip?

Researchers have been seeking alternative ways to produce the magnets needed to make everything from mobile phones to military equipment.