G7想破开“稀土困局”，现在最担心的问题，就是要防着中国一手

Core Viewpoint - The G7 countries are attempting to address their dependency on Chinese rare earth elements through strategies that include setting price floors and imposing tariffs on Chinese exports, despite the inherent contradictions in their approach [5][7][14]. Group 1: G7 Strategies - The G7 is considering two main strategies to counter China's dominance in the rare earth market: establishing a price floor for rare earth transactions and increasing tariffs on Chinese rare earth exports [3][5]. - The rationale behind setting a price floor is to support domestic rare earth companies in G7 countries, as Chinese rare earths are significantly cheaper due to economies of scale [7][8]. - Imposing tariffs is intended to create leverage in negotiations with China, although this could backfire by increasing costs for Western consumers reliant on Chinese rare earths [8][14]. Group 2: China's Response - China has already implemented export controls on key rare earth elements, which are critical for various high-tech and defense applications, directly impacting Western industries [9][12]. - The country has established a stringent regulatory framework for rare earths, including electronic tracking of the supply chain and severe penalties for smuggling [9][11]. - China holds a dominant position in rare earth technology, possessing the majority of essential patents, which complicates efforts by G7 countries to develop alternative supply chains [11][12]. Group 3: Challenges for G7 - The G7 faces internal trust issues among member countries, complicating efforts to create a unified alternative supply chain [14][16]. - Environmental concerns and higher operational costs in G7 countries hinder the development of domestic rare earth production capabilities [16]. - Time is of the essence, as China is rapidly expanding its global rare earth resource footprint, making it increasingly difficult for G7 countries to catch up [16][19]. Group 4: The Need for Cooperation - The ongoing rare earth conflict reflects a Cold War mentality, with G7 countries attempting to isolate China while China maintains an open and cooperative stance [17][21]. - The ultimate battleground in the rare earth dispute is technological innovation, where China is making significant advancements, potentially widening the gap with G7 countries [19][21]. - A collaborative approach focusing on enhancing rare earth utilization efficiency could benefit all parties involved, rather than continuing a divisive political strategy [21].