“不买中国稀土？追求最低成本的美西方企业第一个不答应”

Core Insights - China has established a dominant position in the rare earth market, controlling over 60% of global production and 92% of processing capacity, making it a critical player in the supply chain [3][4] - Western countries are investing heavily to develop alternative supply chains in response to China's export controls, but face significant challenges in terms of cost and scale [1][6] - The U.S. and other Western nations are struggling to compete with China's pricing and processing capabilities, which have been developed over decades [4][6] Group 1: China's Dominance - China has been the lowest-cost producer in every stage of the rare earth value chain due to decades of strategic planning and acquisitions [1][3] - The country’s control over rare earth resources has been a significant factor in global trade negotiations, influencing U.S. policies and European market dynamics [1][3] Group 2: Western Response - Following China's export restrictions, countries like the U.S., Australia, and India are accelerating investments in critical minerals to diversify their supply chains [6] - The G7 has announced plans to explore mechanisms to limit China's low-priced rare earth magnets, indicating a collective effort to address supply chain vulnerabilities [6] Group 3: Challenges for Western Competitors - Analysts suggest that achieving competitive pricing with China is nearly impossible for Western miners unless buyers are willing to pay a premium [4][6] - The time and cost required for other countries to develop their rare earth processing capabilities are estimated to be substantial, potentially taking 10 to 20 years and costing trillions [6]