What Will The U.S. Defense Industry Do If China Cuts Off Rare Earth Supplies?

China is by far the world's largest exporter of rare earth minerals, producing more than 95 per cent of the chemical elements used worldwide, or 120,000 tonnes every year

Jeffery A. Green, Defense News: What will the US defense industry do when China cuts off rare earth supplies?

On June 17, Chinese state-controlled media again threatened disruption of rare earth supplies to the United States — this time targeting U.S. defense contractors. The astonishing threat noted that “military equipment firms in the United States will likely have their supply of Chinese rare earths restricted” and follows calls just weeks ago to shut off rare earth supplies to the United States.

The latest comments follow a meeting of China’s state economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC, which announced the study and formulation of new export controls to go into effect “as soon as possible.” These controls differ from previous embargo and boycott threats by singling out U.S. defense manufacturers, along with contractors that refuse to do business with Huawei.

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WNU Editor: The Pentagon is starting to implementing this plan .... Pentagon Develops Plan To Cut U.S. Reliance On Chinese 'Rare Earth' Minerals (May 30, 2019).