CSIS Warns: US Rare Earth Dependence on China Creates Critical Vulnerability
China’s newly imposed export restrictions on seven rare earth elements, crucial for U.S. defense and technology sectors, threaten to severely disrupt American supply chains. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reports that the U.S. lacks the capacity to replace these critical materials, leaving its military capabilities vulnerable. While the U.S. is investing in domestic rare earth processing, CSIS concludes that these efforts will not bridge the shortfall in the near future, leaving the country heavily reliant on China. This dependence highlights the significant geopolitical implications of China’s control over the global supply of heavy rare earths.
John Q. Hosedrinker