中方的“稀土王牌”不奏效了？特朗普还在嘴硬，这次轮到五角大楼傻眼！一下投资4个亿豪赌

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Department of Defense's investment of $400 million in Mountain Pass Materials, the largest rare earth producer in the U.S., highlights the ongoing competition between the U.S. and China in the rare earth sector, which is critical for various industries including electric vehicles and military equipment [1] Industry Overview - Rare earth elements are essential resources in modern industrial systems, often referred to as "industrial vitamins" [1] - China dominates the global rare earth supply chain, accounting for over 60% of global rare earth production and 92% of processing as of 2023 [1] - The U.S. Geological Survey reported that from 2020 to 2023, 70% of the rare earth compounds and metals imported by the U.S. came from China, indicating a high level of dependency [1] U.S. Policy Initiatives - The Trump administration signed an executive order in March 2025 to enhance domestic production capabilities for critical minerals and rare earth elements, allowing for financing and expedited project approvals [3] - The U.S. is actively seeking international partnerships for rare earth resources, including a $120 million loan to a European company for a project in Greenland and a joint venture with an Indian company focused on recycling rare earth elements [4] Challenges Faced by the U.S. - The U.S. faces significant challenges in breaking China's dominance in the rare earth sector, including technological disadvantages and an incomplete supply chain [7][9] - China's established advantages in extraction, refining, and processing technologies, as well as lower labor and energy costs, contribute to its competitive edge [5][7] - The U.S. must invest heavily in infrastructure, technology development, and workforce training to build a competitive rare earth industry, which poses a substantial challenge [7][9] Strategic Implications - China's government policies support the rare earth industry, promoting sustainable development and resource protection, while also implementing export controls that impact global supply [6] - Despite the U.S. efforts, the long-term effectiveness of the $400 million investment in Mountain Pass Materials remains uncertain, as the U.S. rare earth market struggles to develop [9]