How the US handed China control of the rare earth supply chain

Ars Technica details how China came to dominate rare earth processing: in 2024 it mined about 60% of magnet rare earths and handled 91% of separation and refining. The US has committed over $7 billion since April 2025 to rebuild domestic capacity, but China's October 2025 export controls reach even foreign factories.

• China processes about 91% of the world's rare earth elements
• The US has committed over $7 billion since April 2025 to rebuild supply
• Pentagon bought $400 million of MP Materials stock, a 15% stake
• China's export controls are suspended until Nov. 10, 2026