This report examines the economic and strategic risks associated with the United States’ reliance on foreign sources of Rare Earth Elements (REE), particularly China, which currently supplies a significant share of imported REE end-use products. While China’s production capacity allows the US to reduce domestic exposure to environmentally and occupationally harmful chemical processing activities, its dominant position in the global REE market creates vulnerabilities similar to those experienced with oil market concentration. The analysis highlights the importance of coordinated efforts among the US and its allies to strengthen and diversify REE supply chains by developing multiple sources of raw and processed materials that meet established environmental and labor standards.
