ZGXT(SZ:000831) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-06-18 07:13Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the escalating tensions between China and the United States over rare earth elements, highlighting China's strategic use of its dominance in this sector to counter U.S. actions, particularly in the technology and defense industries [3][4][8]. Group 1: Rare Earth Supply Chain Dynamics - China's rare earth exports are now subject to a permanent licensing system, complicating U.S. efforts to stockpile and mitigate supply chain issues [3][4]. - The automotive industries in Europe and Japan are facing significant challenges due to rare earth shortages, with companies like Toyota and Honda experiencing urgent inventory crises [3][4]. - U.S. rare earth mining companies are attempting to stockpile resources in anticipation of potential supply disruptions from China [3][4]. Group 2: U.S. Challenges in Rebuilding Supply Chains - The U.S. has struggled to establish a complete rare earth supply chain, with projects like the Round Top in Texas projected to only meet 20% of domestic demand by 2027 [6]. - The ReElement project, aimed at recycling rare earths from electric vehicle batteries, faces high technical and cost barriers, making it an impractical short-term solution [6]. - The U.S. government's attempts to revitalize its rare earth industry through funding and legislation have not yielded significant progress [6]. Group 3: Strategic Implications of the U.S.-China Standoff - The ongoing standoff reflects a complete breakdown of strategic trust between the U.S. and China, with both sides unwilling to make concessions [8]. - The global nature of the rare earth supply chain makes unilateral decoupling unrealistic, as both nations are interdependent [8]. - The article concludes that the rare earth conflict has no clear winners, emphasizing that control over core resources is crucial in the ongoing technological cold war [10].