Abstract
Securing U.S. Independence from China in Critical Rare Earth Minerals
Kristin Vekasi, University of MaineThe United States needs secure sources of critical rare earth minerals, which are essential for any advanced economy or modern military. Although possessing only around 35% of the estimated reserves, China currently controls over 70% of global production and is working to secure control over unexploited reserves of the metals around the world. Recently, Chinese media has reported the possibility that rare earth minerals could become a bargaining chip in U.S.-China trade negotiations, which would trigger a global scramble for alternative sources and expertise in the extraction and separation of these elements. Prior to any crisis point, this paper argues that the United States needs to secure independence through identifying alternative supply points, investing in education and training programs in rare earth technologies, and building up a strategic reserve of the most critical minerals.
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