美国80%稀土依赖中国！军工巨头因短缺被迫减产30%

Core Insights - The article highlights the strong control China has over the rare earth industry, particularly in military applications, which has left the U.S. with limited options for securing rare earth materials [1][3][5]. Group 1: U.S. Dependence on China - The U.S. relies on imports for 80% of its rare earth materials, with 70% of that coming from China, indicating a significant dependency [3]. - China controls 90% of the global production capacity for rare earth permanent magnets, which raises concerns within the U.S. defense sector [3]. - Following China's announcement of export controls on seven categories of rare earth items, Lockheed Martin reported a 30% reduction in production of F-35 engine blades due to rare earth shortages [3]. Group 2: Strategic Importance of Rare Earths - Rare earth materials are crucial for modern military equipment, with each F-35 fighter jet requiring a substantial amount of these materials, and over 60% of the components in precision-guided missiles being made from rare earths [3]. - The U.S. military's nuclear submarines require 4 tons of rare earth materials each, emphasizing the critical nature of these resources for military operations [5]. Group 3: Challenges in U.S. Rare Earth Production - The U.S. rare earth industry has been weakened by years of market and policy missteps, leading to projections that even with increased investment, domestic production will only meet 20% of demand by 2030 [5]. - The U.S. faces a potential operational crisis, as the Secretary of Commerce stated that if China tightens rare earth exports, the F-35 production line could halt within six months, and the Patriot missile system could lose 50% of its guidance capacity [5]. Group 4: China's Technological Advancements - China is not only capable of controlling rare earth resources but is also rapidly advancing in high-end technology sectors, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence, narrowing the competitive gap with the U.S. to just 1-2 years in semiconductors and 3-6 months in AI [7]. - The rapid progress of China in these fields poses a significant challenge to U.S. technological leadership [7].