The Geopolitics of Rare Earth Elements: China's 70% Monopoly and the West's Response

China controls 70% of rare earth mining and 90% of processing. Essential for EV motors (neodymium), wind turbines (dysprosium), defense systems, and consumer electronics. China used rare earth export restrictions as leverage (2010 Japan dispute, 2019 US trade war). Western response: MP Materials (US only rare earth miner), Lynas (Australia), and Pentagon-funded processing facilities. Recycling rare earths from e-waste is emerging as alternative supply. The fundamental issue: rare earths aren't rare but processing is environmentally damaging, making Western countries reluctant to mine domestically.