As Trump talks up trade war with China, fears rise for rare earths supply

Beijing dominates the production of critical elements used in the production of electronics, vehicles and weapons.

Taipei, Taiwan – As United States President-elect Donald Trump gears up for a second trade war with China once he takes office on January 20, the rare earth minerals essential to the production of electronics, vehicles and weapons are one resource expected to be caught up in the fray.

While rare earths are plentiful across the earth’s surface – despite what their name suggests – China controls about 70 percent of their production and 90 percent of processing, according to estimates by the US Geological Survey and the International Energy Agency.

The 17 elements, which include scandium, promethium and yttrium, are used to make everything from smartphones, semiconductors, and EV batteries, to F-35 fighter jets, drones, wind turbines, radar systems and nuclear reactors.

The vulnerability of rare earth supply chains has been a growing concern for governments worldwide in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions.

Last month, China banned exports of gallium, germanium and antimony to the US after the administration of President Joe Biden announced its latest curbs on the sale of advanced chips and machinery to the country.