Pentagon works with U.S. rare earths company to counter China's dominance
Summary
The U.S. government is working with an American rare earth mining company to reduce dependence on China, which currently controls most of the world's rare earth elements. These elements are crucial for technology and defense, including smartphones, electric vehicles, and fighter jets.Key Facts
- President Donald Trump met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing to discuss rare earth elements.
- China has near-total control over rare earth metals used in important technologies and military equipment.
- An American company operates the only active rare earth mine in the U.S., located in Mountain Pass, California.
- This company is partly owned by U.S. taxpayers through a special federal government deal.
- Rare earth minerals are essential for items like smartphones, laptops, electric cars, and defense systems such as the F-35 fighter jet.
- The Trump administration created the National Energy Dominance Council to secure supply chains for critical minerals.
- China has sometimes lowered prices to discourage other countries or companies from mining and refining rare earths.
- Rare earth elements are not actually rare in nature, but places with enough concentrated resources that can be mined economically are rare.
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