Guan Cha Zhe Wang·2025-07-15 01:15Core Viewpoint - The U.S. government is accelerating the establishment of an independent rare earth pricing mechanism to stimulate domestic investment and reduce China's dominance in the global rare earth market, which currently controls 90% of supply [1][4][5]. Group 1: U.S. Government Actions - The U.S. Department of Defense has agreed to set a minimum procurement price for MP Materials, the only domestic rare earth miner, at nearly double the current market price [1][4]. - The Department will subsidize the price difference for two commonly used rare earth elements, neodymium and praseodymium, at $110 per kilogram, which is above the current market price of approximately $63 [5][9]. - The Pentagon's support includes funding for the construction of a second rare earth magnet manufacturing facility by MP Materials, aiming for an annual production capacity of 10,000 tons [2][4]. Group 2: Industry Implications - Analysts warn that while the new pricing mechanism benefits producers, it may increase costs for downstream consumers, such as automotive manufacturers [6][9]. - The establishment of a higher pricing benchmark could influence other companies, like Solvay, to set similar price levels, potentially raising overall market prices [5][6]. - The current pricing strategy may not attract significant investment from commercial clients due to their diversified supply sources and uncertainty about accepting higher prices [9][10]. Group 3: Challenges and Future Outlook - Experts indicate that it may take years for Western countries to develop sufficient rare earth processing capabilities, with significant time and cost challenges ahead [10]. - The need for skilled personnel in rare earth processing and purification is highlighted as a major hurdle for the U.S. and other nations in diversifying their supply chains [10].