美国建立起稀土全产业链，中国造出EUV，谁会更快

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the critical role of rare earth elements in the AI supply chain, particularly focusing on the dominance of China in the supply of medium and heavy rare earths, which are essential for AI chip performance and supply stability [2][13][19]. Group 1: Importance of Rare Earths - Rare earths serve as a key lever that determines the performance limits and supply stability of AI chips, with their unique atomic-level physical properties making them irreplaceable in the short term [2][7]. - The concentration of medium and heavy rare earths in China gives it a near-monopoly over the entire supply chain, from mining to refining and manufacturing components [2][12][20]. Group 2: Economic Impact - A mere 0.1% content of rare earths can significantly influence the global AI supply chain, affecting everything from advanced logic chips to power transmission in electrical devices [3][4]. - The AI sector has become crucial to the U.S. economy, contributing nearly half of the global trade growth this year, with concerns that strict export controls from China could lead to an economic downturn in the U.S. [4][12]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment - The U.S. has begun to implement measures to rebuild its rare earth supply chain, but progress has been slow, primarily focusing on light rare earths rather than the more critical medium and heavy rare earths [13][15]. - Recent export controls by China have expanded to include 12 out of 17 rare earth elements, highlighting the strategic importance of medium and heavy rare earths in the global market [14][19]. Group 4: Technological Challenges - The extraction and processing of rare earths are complex and require significant investment, with the U.S. facing challenges in scaling up production to meet demand [15][24]. - The unique electronic structures of medium and heavy rare earths make them difficult to substitute, reinforcing China's dominant position in the market [23][24]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The ongoing technological innovations and trade dynamics related to medium and heavy rare earths will profoundly shape the global AI industry landscape in the long term [26].