Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-06-02 11:41Core Viewpoint - The ongoing trade war initiated by the U.S. under Trump's administration is significantly impacting the development of the sixth-generation fighter jet, particularly due to the reliance on rare earth materials supplied predominantly by China [1][9][12]. Group 1: Impact on Military Development - The U.S. military's sixth-generation fighter jet project, specifically the F-47, is heavily dependent on rare earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium, which are crucial for high-performance magnets and radar systems [7][12]. - The recent approval for Boeing to produce the F-47 occurred just before China announced new export controls on rare earth materials, creating uncertainty for the U.S. military's development plans [9][12]. - The lack of sufficient rare earth supply could lead to significant delays or even halts in the production of critical military components, affecting the overall military readiness of the U.S. [7][12][18]. Group 2: China's Export Control Measures - China's new export control measures restrict seven categories of medium and heavy rare earth elements, which are vital for military, aerospace, and high-tech applications [12][26]. - The majority of medium and heavy rare earth supplies come from China, which possesses the largest reserves globally, creating a strong supply chain that the U.S. heavily relies on [12][19]. - The implementation of these controls has led to a near halt in rare earth exports from China, with U.S. companies facing potential inventory shortages and uncertainty in securing new supplies [26][28]. Group 3: Strategic Implications and Alternatives - The strategic significance of rare earth elements is underscored by their essential role in various industries, including military, aerospace, and high-tech sectors, where their absence could severely hinder production capabilities [12][16]. - While the U.S. may consider sourcing rare earth materials from other countries, challenges such as the lack of processing technology and infrastructure in those nations limit the feasibility of such alternatives [19][20]. - The U.S. government is exploring deep-sea mining as a potential solution to the rare earth supply crisis, but this approach faces significant technological and environmental hurdles, making it a long-term and uncertain solution [24][28].