我国3834吨稀土偷运到美国！中国禁令被2友国钻空子，商务部出手

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the ongoing struggle over rare earth resources, emphasizing how the U.S. is circumventing China's export controls through third-party countries, which poses significant implications for both nations' military and industrial capabilities [1][19]. Group 1: Smuggling and Trade Dynamics - Between December 2024 and April 2025, the U.S. imported 3,834 tons of Chinese antimony oxide via Thailand and Mexico, nearly matching the total imports from these countries over the past three years [3]. - Thailand has only one antimony smelting plant, and Mexico's relevant factory resumed operations only in April 2025, indicating that these countries are acting as intermediaries for U.S. imports [4]. - In Nuevo León, Mexico, 37 offshore Chinese trading companies emerged, falsely labeling Chinese antimony as "made in Mexico" to exploit low tariff provisions under the North American Free Trade Agreement [4]. Group 2: Price Surge and Profitability - The international prices for gallium surged to over $3,000 per kilogram, a 200% increase compared to pre-ban levels, while germanium prices rose from 9,900 yuan to 18,700 yuan, an 88% increase [6]. - Even after accounting for high transportation costs, the profit from smuggling rare earths can reach 20 times that of normal trade [6]. Group 3: China's Response and Regulatory Measures - In response to the resource loss crisis, China initiated a special operation in May 2025 targeting smuggling and misreporting practices [8]. - The revised Mineral Resources Law, effective July 1, 2025, imposes a minimum 10-year prison sentence for rare earth smuggling and establishes a "lifetime ban" blacklist for offenders [10]. - A blockchain-based "rare earth traceability electronic ID system" was launched in June 2025 to assign unique digital identities to each batch of rare earths [10]. Group 4: Impact on U.S. Military and Industry - Following China's crackdown on smuggling, the F-35 fighter jet production was reduced by 30% due to a shortage of dysprosium, leading to an 8% drop in profit margins for Lockheed Martin's defense sector [12]. - Raytheon Technologies delayed the mass production of the "Standard-6" missile, with some orders redirected to Europe facing technical barriers [13]. Group 5: Strategic Implications - A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies revealed that the U.S. relies on imports for 41 out of 50 critical minerals, with China being the largest supplier for 29 of them [15]. - The U.S. military's reliance on Chinese rare earths is underscored by the fact that the M855 rifle cartridge contains 0.5 grams of antimony, and the F-35 radar depends on gallium nitride technology, with China controlling 94% of global gallium supply [15][17]. - The U.S. State Department established a "Critical Minerals Alliance" in 2024, attempting to create a supply chain independent of China, but faces challenges due to China's dominance in rare earth processing technology [19][21].