智通财经网·2025-10-13 12:42Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the proactive measures taken by the U.S. government and companies, particularly General Motors (GM), to secure rare earth supply chains amid China's tightening export controls on rare earth materials [1][2]. Group 1: General Motors' Initiatives - General Motors has been working since 2021 to secure domestic rare earth magnet supply, positioning itself to become the only U.S. automaker with multiple large-scale direct supply sources in the coming months [1]. - In late 2021, GM announced plans to build a rare earth magnet manufacturing plant in the U.S. in collaboration with German company VAC, which is expected to start production this fall and reach full capacity by early 2026, with 90% of its output dedicated to GM and the remainder to the U.S. Department of Defense [1]. - GM also signed a long-term supply agreement with MP Materials in 2021, agreeing to invest in a new plant in Texas, with the U.S. Department of Defense subsequently providing funding for both VAC and MP's new facilities [1]. Group 2: Department of Defense Involvement - A senior official from the Department of Defense indicated that if the new facilities only supplied the Department, their viability might be limited to 5 to 10 years, but supplying both the Department and GM would provide a more stable outlook [1]. - In July of this year, the Department of Defense agreed to invest $400 million in MP Materials in exchange for equity to help increase its production capacity [1]. Group 3: Additional Supply Agreements - GM has also reached a multi-year supply agreement with Noveon Magnetics, with rare earth magnets beginning delivery in July [2]. - The exact proportion of GM's rare earth magnet demand that can be met by domestic production has not been disclosed by the company's procurement and supply chain head [2].