Can China hold the world to ransom over rare earths?

China’s critical minerals dominance threatens US military supply chain: report

Chinese players account for the bulk of world output of five essential elements used in 80,000 American weapons parts, researchers find.

Can China hold the world to ransom over rare earths?

Rare earths are critical for the production of smartphones, satellites, robots and even fighter jets. China processes nearly all of them, causing much handwringing in Washington and Brussels over fears that China has the power to hold the world to ransom. But will it use it?

How China is controlling the world’s rare earths trade

China is threatening to land a knockout blow in its trade war with Donald Trump, targeting a vulnerability in the United States’ most crucial military infrastructure with a strike that was decades in the making.

How Trump dealt himself a dud hand on rare earths

China now dominates the entire rare earths ecosystem, refining around 90 per cent of all coveted elements. It leaves Trump's America particularly vulnerable, as the Albanese government proposes a national stockpile.

In the fervent context of the growing geopolitical tension, Europe put to work to locate sources of critical minerals.Now, the eyes are also placed in the province of Almería, as a possible strategic enclave within the Spanish south, by identifying in its territory signs of elements such as rare earths, lithium, cobalt and titanium.Let us not forget that these materials are essential for technological, energy and defense industries. As we know n…

Texas isn’t just rich in oil, it could soon provide the U.S. with a new geopolitical weapon against China

The Lone Star State is stepping onto the global stage with a resource that could reshape America’s energy independence. Beyond its traditional oil fields, Texas harbors vast lithium reserves that might soon challenge China’s dominance in this critical mineral sector. This shift comes at a pivotal…