Core Insights - China is strategically controlling rare earth supply, gaining the upper hand in its competition with the U.S. [1] - The recent surge in rare earth exports to the U.S. by 660% to 353 tons in June highlights China's calculated approach [1][5] - The U.S. is facing a significant dependency on rare earths, which is more pronounced than China's need for H20 chips [6][12] Group 1: Export Dynamics - The 353 tons exported to the U.S. in June is a small fraction of China's total global exports of 3,188 tons, indicating a controlled release rather than a full-scale opening [5] - The increase in exports is not a sign of trade recovery but rather a reflection of China's strategic maneuvering [12] Group 2: U.S. Dependency - U.S. rare earth companies, such as MP Materials, are heavily reliant on Chinese exports, with 353 tons already accounting for one-third of their expected production capacity [6] - The U.S. government's financial struggles and debates over fiscal spending exacerbate its dependency on Chinese rare earths [9] Group 3: Historical Context - The ongoing U.S.-China competition over rare earths is rooted in historical tensions, including the tariff wars where China used rare earths as leverage [3][11] - China's strategic positioning in the rare earth supply chain has evolved since 2010, allowing it to maintain significant control over the market [11][12]
中国稀土对美出口暴涨660%,达成稀土和解了?中国还留了一手