Part 9/12:
Former officials and industry insiders warn that this reliance jeopardizes national security. With most rare earth processing now domiciled in China, the U.S. faces an ongoing risk of supply disruptions, whether due to economic leverage or geopolitical conflicts.
The 2010 Wake-Up Call
A pivotal moment came in 2010 during a territorial dispute between Japan and China. Chinese authorities detained a fishing boat captain, then abruptly cut off rare earth shipments to Japan for over a month. This incident starkly demonstrated how China could wield control over global supply, serving as a wake-up call for the Western world.