让美国战机飞不起来！中国的绝地反击，外媒：这比芯片更严重

Core Viewpoint - The recent trade conflict initiated by Trump in April 2025 has escalated into a global tariff war, affecting multiple countries and leading to significant retaliatory measures from China, particularly in the rare earth sector [1][5]. Group 1: Tariff War and Retaliation - Trump's new tariff policy targets not only China but also extends to other countries, marking a departure from the 2016 approach [1]. - China's response includes a comprehensive counterattack, which has garnered international media attention for its potential to disrupt global supply chains more severely than previous measures like chip bans [1][5]. Group 2: Importance of Rare Earth Elements - Rare earth elements are critical for U.S. military technology, with significant quantities used in advanced weaponry, including F-35 fighter jets and submarines [3][5]. - The U.S. has recognized the strategic importance of rare earths, leading to restrictions on military procurement from China, although compliance issues have arisen [3][5]. Group 3: Historical Context and Industry Dynamics - The U.S. and Europe initially led in rare earth applications, but China gained a competitive edge post-1978, particularly in refining technologies [6][7]. - Environmental regulations in the U.S. have hindered domestic rare earth production, allowing China to dominate the market with lower operational costs [7][8]. Group 4: Current Market Position and Future Outlook - China currently controls approximately 61% of global rare earth production and holds about 92% of the refining market [7]. - The U.S. faces significant challenges in reducing its reliance on Chinese rare earths, with estimates suggesting it may take at least 20 years to break this dependency [8].