How the US Lost Its Rare Earth Dominance to China

The United States once held a strong position in rare earth mining and processing but gradually ceded that advantage over several decades. Cheaper imports, largely from China, made domestic production economically unviable, leading American companies to scale back or shut down operations. China strategically expanded its rare earth industry during this period, eventually gaining near-total control over global processing capacity. Rare earth elements are critical inputs for defense systems, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics, making this dependency a significant strategic concern. The US now faces the difficult challenge of rebuilding a domestic rare earth supply chain after years of neglect.