Lynas Rare Earths

Force in Play

Australia's rare earth producer, Malaysia processing facility

China controls 70% of rare earth mining and 90% of refining—the 17 obscure elements that power everything from F-35 fighter jets to iPhones. In April 2025, Beijing weaponized that dominance. When Trump announced Liberation Day tariffs, China retaliated by restricting exports of seven rare earth elements. By October, it expanded controls to twelve elements and invoked the foreign direct product rule—the same tool America used to choke China's chip industry—claiming jurisdiction over any product globally that touches Chinese rare earth technology.

Updated Jan 8