Commentary / Japan Aug 9, 2019
The Mideast has oil, China has rare earths
by Yoichi Funabashi
China has a powerful trade-war weapon: an overwhelming dominance in the production of rare earths.
Asia Pacific Aug 7, 2019
China rare earths group supports counter-measures against U.S. 'bullying'
China's rare earths association said it would support Chinese counter-measures in the escalating trade row with the United States, which it accused on Wednesday of "bullying." The Association of China Rare Earth Industry issued a statement after a special working meeting on Monday to discuss ...
Business Aug 7, 2019
Trump shrugs off trade war concerns as China warns of market chaos
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed concerns over a protracted trade war with China, as Beijing warned that Washington's decision to label it a currency manipulator would lead to chaos in financial markets. Trump, who announced last week he would slap a 10 percent ...
Commentary / World Jun 4, 2019
Beijing mulls playing its strongest card: Rare earths
by Tom Clifford
The U.S. imports 80 percent of its rare earths from China, but accounts for just 4 percent of China's rare earth exports. This gives Beijing a significant advantage.
Editorials May 31, 2019
Beijing should realize that playing the rare earths card in its trade dispute with the U.S. will harm China far more than it helps.
Business May 30, 2019
Pentagon seeks funds to boost U.S. rare-earth production as fears over China supply mount
The U.S. Defense Department is seeking new federal funds to bolster domestic production of rare earth minerals and reduce dependence on China, the Pentagon has said, amid mounting concern in Washington about Beijing's role as a supplier. The Pentagon's request was outlined in a report ...
Business May 30, 2019
China steps up threat to deprive U.S. of rare earths amid Huawei row
Chinese state media dangled Wednesday the threat of cutting exports of rare earths to the United States as a counterstrike in the trade war, potentially depriving Washington of a key resource used to make everything from smartphones to military hardware. The warning is the latest ...
Business May 29, 2019
Trade war threatens U.S. access to rare earths, says China state media
Washington's trade war with Beijing puts it at risk of losing access to China-produced rare earths, which are critical to manufacturing, a commentary in state media said on Wednesday. The commentary follows President Xi Jinping's visit last week to a Chinese rare earths company — ...
Business | FOCUS Dec 7, 2018
Race to the bottom? India plans deep dive for seabed minerals
In the 1870 Jules Verne classic "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," underwater explorer Captain Nemo predicted the mining of the ocean floor's mineral bounty: zinc, iron, silver and gold. India is catching up with that as it prepares to unearth treasures down below. The floor of ...
Business Oct 25, 2018
China's cut to rare earth output unnerves global manufacturers
The Chinese government is limiting domestic production of rare earth minerals in the second half of the year, a move likely to crimp international exports and send prices for the critical materials soaring, according to data from Adamas Intelligence. China is by far the world's ...
Editorials Apr 13, 2018
A Japanese discovery could transform the global market for rare earth metals.
Commentary / Japan Oct 27, 2015
The war over the periodic table
by David S. Abraham
Increasingly today, national economic security and the fate of many businesses are beholden to a handful of rare metals that are often produced only in China.