China's Control of Rare Earths Threatens U.S. Defense
Submitted by MAGA
Posted 5 days ago
**America's Defense in Jeopardy as China Tightens Grip on Rare Earth Elements**
In a stark warning for U.S. national security, a newly released report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlights the increasingly precarious situation surrounding the supply of rare earth elements (REEs) crucial for defense technologies.
Recent export restrictions imposed by China could severely hinder the U.S. military's capabilities at a time when global tensions are already high.
Those restrictions involve a licensing system for the export of seven key elements essential for defense applications, including fighter jets and missiles.
For years, the United States has relied heavily on China, which controls over 99% of global heavy rare earth processing. This dependency poses a significant risk for U.S. defense, especially as China continues to expand its military might at an alarming rate.
As reported, while the Trump administration recognized this vulnerability, a proactive approach to developing an independent REE supply chain is still a work in progress.
The Department of Defense has made commitments exceeding $439 million since 2020 to establish domestic supply chains, aiming to meet defense needs by 2027. However, as the CSIS report indicates, these efforts are simply not enough. Current production capabilities in the U.S. are far from matching China's output, and significant time is required to build the necessary facilities.
With China ramping up its acquisitions of advanced weapons systems at a pace five to six times that of the U.S., Washington cannot afford to remain complacent.
The looming threat of a complete shutdown of medium and heavy rare earth element exports could lead to dire consequences for America's military readiness.
Moreover, the potential for diplomatic support and cooperation with allies such as Australia and Brazil holds promise, but these relationships take time to cement.
All the while, the Biden administration has faced criticism for perceived inaction, highlighting the need for a robust and strategic focus on these rare materials.
In stark contrast to the Trump administration's aggressive tariffs that sparked this trade war, the current leadership appears slow to respond to these mounting threats.
As the stakes continue to rise, it begs the question: will the U.S. prioritize its national security interests and reduce reliance on Beijing, or will it remain trapped in a cycle of dependency that jeopardizes its global position?
The answer to that question will have profound implications for America’s defense and its standing on the world stage.
Sources:
thefederalist.com
cnbc.com
csis.org
In a stark warning for U.S. national security, a newly released report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlights the increasingly precarious situation surrounding the supply of rare earth elements (REEs) crucial for defense technologies.
Recent export restrictions imposed by China could severely hinder the U.S. military's capabilities at a time when global tensions are already high.
Those restrictions involve a licensing system for the export of seven key elements essential for defense applications, including fighter jets and missiles.
For years, the United States has relied heavily on China, which controls over 99% of global heavy rare earth processing. This dependency poses a significant risk for U.S. defense, especially as China continues to expand its military might at an alarming rate.
As reported, while the Trump administration recognized this vulnerability, a proactive approach to developing an independent REE supply chain is still a work in progress.
The Department of Defense has made commitments exceeding $439 million since 2020 to establish domestic supply chains, aiming to meet defense needs by 2027. However, as the CSIS report indicates, these efforts are simply not enough. Current production capabilities in the U.S. are far from matching China's output, and significant time is required to build the necessary facilities.
With China ramping up its acquisitions of advanced weapons systems at a pace five to six times that of the U.S., Washington cannot afford to remain complacent.
The looming threat of a complete shutdown of medium and heavy rare earth element exports could lead to dire consequences for America's military readiness.
Moreover, the potential for diplomatic support and cooperation with allies such as Australia and Brazil holds promise, but these relationships take time to cement.
All the while, the Biden administration has faced criticism for perceived inaction, highlighting the need for a robust and strategic focus on these rare materials.
In stark contrast to the Trump administration's aggressive tariffs that sparked this trade war, the current leadership appears slow to respond to these mounting threats.
As the stakes continue to rise, it begs the question: will the U.S. prioritize its national security interests and reduce reliance on Beijing, or will it remain trapped in a cycle of dependency that jeopardizes its global position?
The answer to that question will have profound implications for America’s defense and its standing on the world stage.
Sources:
thefederalist.com
cnbc.com
csis.org
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