Summary
China has now imposed export controls on a range of critical rare earth minerals and magnets, dealing a major blow to the US.
“Rare earths” are a group of 17 chemically similar elements that are crucial to the manufacture of many high-tech products. Everything you can switch on or off likely runs on rare earths.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that China accounts for about 61% of rare earth production and 92% of their processing.
A US Geological report notes that between 2020 and 2023, the US relied on China for 70% of its imports of all rare earth compounds and metals.
Alright well then that does go to my American ignorance because we often lump you in with Australia, apologies for that.
Edit: however, I would also say that that doesn’t have anything to do with geographical knowledge.
Also, are you indigenous?
Pakeha