Imagine a world where the technology powering our fighter jets, electric vehicles, and wind turbines hinges on the whims of a foreign power. That's the reality the United States faces today, tethered to China's stranglehold on rare earth elements (REEs)—17 obscure metals that are the lifeblood of modern defence and industry. China controls roughly 70% of global production and 85-90% of refining, wielding this dominance like a geopolitical sledgehammer. From export bans to market manipulation, Beijing has shown it's not afraid to flex its muscle, leaving the U.S. vulnerable. For the Trump administration, decoupling from this dependency isn't just a policy goal—it's a matter of national survival. But with China's grip so tight, how can America break free? The answer lies in bold domestic action, strategic alliances, and a relentless drive to reclaim control over these critical resources.
My journey into this issue began with a simple question: why are we so reliant on China for something so vital? Rare earths, like neodymium and dysprosium, aren't just niche minerals—they're the backbone of everything from missile guidance systems to smartphone batteries. Yet, China's dominance stems from decades of strategic investment, lax environmental standards, and a willingness to undercut global competitors. The U.S., once a leader in REE production, let its industry atrophy, leaving us with one active mine—Mountain Pass in California—producing 15% of the world's supply but still shipping ore to China for refining. The stakes hit home when I learned that China's recent export restrictions on seven REEs could choke off supplies for our defense contractors overnight. If we don't act, we're handing Beijing the keys to our future.
The first step to independence is right under our feet: America's own soil. Mountain Pass, operated by MP Materials, is a beacon of hope, churning out light REEs and working toward a full mine-to-magnet supply chain by 2026, thanks to Department of Defense grants. But one mine isn't enough. Projects like Round Top in Texas and Sheep Creek in Montana are gearing up, with USA Rare Earth recently producing a 99.1% pure dysprosium oxide sample—a game-changer for heavy REEs used in high-performance magnets. The U.S. Geological Survey's Earth MRI project has pinpointed potential deposits in Wyoming, New Mexico, and Alaska, offering a roadmap for expansion. Yet, mining is only half the battle. Without domestic refining, we're still at China's mercy. That's why Lynas USA's new processing plants, backed by $150 million in DoD funding, are critical to turning raw ore into usable metals.
But the road isn't easy. New mines take 10-20 years to develop, and investors shy away from the high costs and regulatory maze. Environmental concerns loom large—REE mining can pollute water and soil, as seen in China's toxic Bayan Obo mine. For conservatives, this is a balancing act: we need these resources to secure our nation, but we must steward God's creation responsibly. Streamlining permits, as Trump's March 2025 executive order aims to do, can help, but we also need to train a new generation of mining engineers to replace our dwindling expertise. It's a tall order, but the alternative—dependency on a rival power—is unthinkable.
What if we looked beyond traditional mining? Unconventional sources could be a game-changer. Across the U.S., over 1,000 coal ash ponds, like those at Plant Barry in Alabama, hold elevated REE concentrations. Extracting them could revive struggling coal towns, though we'd need to manage environmental risks like groundwater contamination. Recycling is another frontier—Phoenix Tailings plans to recover 4,000 metric tons of REEs from electronic waste by 2027. Even phosphate deposits and deep-sea beds hold potential, though radioactive byproducts and regulatory hurdles slow progress. These aren't silver bullets, but they're pieces of a puzzle we must solve.
No nation can go it alone, and that's where allies come in. Australia's Mount Weld mine, run by Lynas Rare Earths, is a powerhouse for non-Chinese REEs, and Canada's emerging projects are gaining steam. Brazil, with 21 million metric tons of reserves, is a sleeping giant, though its Serra Verde mine still relies on Chinese processing. India, holding 6.9 million tons, is building its first REE magnet plant, signalling ambition. By strengthening trade agreements and joint R&D, like Australia's Critical Minerals R&D Hub, we can build a resilient supply chain. But allies face their own limits—Australia's refining capacity is small, and proximity to China poses risks in a conflict. Friendshoring is essential, but it's not a cure-all.
Innovation is our ace in the hole. China's solvent extraction process is efficient but dirty, and the U.S. lags in expertise. Investing in cleaner methods, like USA Rare Earth's ion exchange technology, could leapfrog us ahead, producing purer oxides with less environmental harm. The DoD and Department of Energy are pouring funds into R&D, but we need to match China's decades-long commitment. Stockpiling REEs can buy time, and substitution—finding alternative materials—might work for some applications, but defence systems demand the real thing. Every dollar spent on research is a step toward freedom.
Globally, the playing field is uneven. China's 44 million metric tons of reserves dwarf others, followed by Brazil, Vietnam (22 million tons), and Russia (21 million tons). Vietnam and Russia have potential but are geopolitically tricky. India and Australia are reliable, while Greenland's untapped 1.5 million tons and Sweden's Per Geijer deposit could bolster Western supplies. Africa's reserves, like those in the DRC, are increasingly under Chinese control, a reminder of Beijing's global reach. Diversifying supply is critical, but it's a long game—China's market power won't fade overnight.
For Christian conservatives, this isn't just economics—it's about sovereignty and stewardship. Dependency on China undermines our ability to defend the nation God entrusted to us. Yet, we must mine and process responsibly, honouring Micah 6:8's call to "act justly." The Left's push for green tech, reliant on REEs, ignores mining's toll, exposing their contradictions. Trump's tariffs and WTO challenges can pressure China, but the real fight is at home: building mines, training workers, and forging alliances.
As I reflect on this challenge, I'm struck by the urgency. Decoupling from China's rare earths won't happen overnight, but with grit, innovation, and faith, we can reclaim our destiny. Let's pray for leaders who see the stakes and act boldly, trusting God to guide us through this critical hour.
"China has stopped exporting several rare earth minerals that are crucial to making certain products in the tech, automobile, aerospace, and defense industries, according to several reports.
The New York Post reported that "effective April 3, China is no longer exporting seven heavy rare earth metals processed exclusively in the Asian power, as well as heavy rare earth magnets."
Per the outlet, while China's halt of rare earth minerals "applies to all countries," access to certain things like "dysprosium and yttrium are critical" in the tech, automobile, and defense industries in the United States:
The export halt applies to all countries, but access to elements like dysprosium and yttrium are critical to US industry — especially in the tech, electric vehicle, aircraft and defense sectors, according to Drew Horn, who served as the top US official on strategic minerals and energy supply chain development in President Trump's first administration.
Horn explained to the outlet that China has "been threatening" to do this because they have the "leverage" to cut the U.S. and the rest of the world off.
"The Chinese have been threatening this because they do have that leverage to basically cut us off and cut the world off, which essentially cuts us off through all sorts of different means, and now they're doing it," Horn said.
In 2019, China previously threatened to cut off rare earth mineral exports to the U.S., according to Forbes.
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Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies explained to the New York Post that China's "rare earth play is a card they've used before," and added that it was "overplayed."
The New York Times reported that on April 4, China "ordered restrictions on the export of six heavy rare earth metals, which are refined entirely in China, as well as rare earth magnets, 90 percent of which are produced in China."
Per the outlet, while "metals, and special magnets made with them" can be "shipped out of China only with special export licenses," the country "has barely started setting up a system for issuing the licenses":
The metals, and special magnets made with them can now be shipped out of China only with special export licenses.
But China has barely started setting up a system for issuing the licenses. That has caused consternation among industry executives that the process could drag on and that current supplies of mineral and products outside of China could run low.
Breitbart News's John Hayward reported that China had revealed it would "maintain its supply of rare earths to the rest of the world while limiting U.S. access."