How China used rare earths to turn on the US chip tap again

Washington tried to slow Chinese AI progress with export bans, a tactic Beijing later employed to regain some ground

Rare earths are essential components in many technologies, from consumer electronics and electric vehicles, through clean energy and aerospace, to medical and defence equipment. They are also used in research and development, including semiconductors.

China holds half of the world’s reserves of rare earths and most of the global refining capacity.

And from 2020 to 2023, 70 per cent of rare earth compounds and metals imported by the United States were from China, according to the US Geological Survey.

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How China used rare earths to turn on the US chip tap again

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