2025-09-24
39 分钟The economist.
Rare earth elements.
They're three words that have made the geopolitical world tremble in recent months.
They are being called the cocaine of the tech industry.
More valuable than gold or real estate.
China is hitting back at the US's reciprocal tariffs with export controls on rare earth elements.
Well, President Donald Trump says that the U.S. has just struck a new trade deal with China locking in rare earth minerals and metal.
Despite their name, these elements are everywhere.
They're excellent at making extremely strong but small magnets.
That means they're useful in anything from cars to wind turbines.
Their special chemistry also finds uses in the displays of television screens, in smartphones and in weapons.
And much, much more.
Modern technology wouldn't work without rare earth elements.
And here's the geopolitical part.
The vast majority of mines that dig these elements out of the ground are in China.
That's why when the country started restricting exports earlier this year, it caused panic.
Industry trade groups are sounding the alarm on shortages after they apparently, their availability。
The move has already sending shockwaves through Korean businesses.
with Ford Motor has temporarily idled its US plants for the last three weeks.
And this is due to a scarcity of magnets containing rare earth minerals.