The Hunt for Rare Earths: Breaking China's Hold on Rare Earth Elements

reportActive / Technical Report | Accesssion Number: AD1211093 | Open PDF

Abstract:

Regardless of the rhetoric in the United States congress about breaking its supply chain reliance on China, America still heavily depends on China to provide it with critical resources required for defense and everyday life. Rare Earth Elements (REE) are among the resources the US and the rest of the world rely on China to provide. Therefore, US leadership needs to invest more in diversifying its REE supply chain to reduce its dependency on China, minimizing the impacts of Chinese-driven disruptions in REE-reliant industries. First, the US needs to invest in domestic options to help reduce its dependence on Chinese REE products. Second, Vietnam and Brazil could provide opportunities for additional foreign options to supply the US and the world with these critical elements. Demand for REEs will only grow in the coming years and decades, making the diversification of the REE supply chain a vital interest for the US.

Author(s):
Settle, Jacob
Author Organization(s):
NAVAL WAR COLLEGE NEWPORT RI
Funding Organization(s):
NAVAL WAR COLLEGE NEWPORT RI, NEWPORT , RI
Document Type:
Technical Report/Research Paper
Publication Date:
2023 Feb 17
Pagination:
39

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution Code:
A - Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement: Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TRECMS
Subject Terms
Communities of Interest:
Cyber
Descriptor(s):
national security, space force, warfare, cyber warfare, cyberattacks, rare earth elements, air force, law, congress, cyber threats, cybersecurity, information operations, united states, agreements, china, geography, governments
Keyword(s):
ree(Rare Earth Elements)
Subject Categories:
Materials
Creation Date:
2023 Sep 21
Update Date:
2023 Sep 27