China’s Tightening Grip on Rare Earths Threatens America’s Tech Independence

China has unveiled new regulations tightening government control over the mining, processing, and export of rare earth minerals—key ingredients for everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to fighter jets. But this isn’t simply an industrial policy; it is a strategic maneuver that places American technological progress and national security at risk.Why Does China’s Monopoly Matter to America?Rare earth elements, though not genuinely rare in nature, are notoriously difficult to mine and refine efficiently. Over decades, China has exploited this fact by creating a near-monopoly on the rare earth supply chain—now dominating roughly 90% of global processing while controlling almost half...