G7紧急开会应对中国稀土管控，欧洲日本为何对美国如此依恋？

Group 1: Global Tensions and Dependencies - The international competition surrounding rare earth elements has become a focal point, with G7 countries expressing intentions to "resist China," while simultaneously seeking cooperation with Chinese firms [2] - 31 countries are anxious about their reliance on China for rare earths, with Europe and Japan aware of the risks yet unwilling to diverge from the U.S. stance [2][12] - The U.S. has threatened to increase pressure on China, but has also shown signs of retreat, indicating a complex geopolitical landscape [2] Group 2: Importance of Rare Earth Elements - Rare earth elements are critical for modern technology, with estimates suggesting that over half of the high-tech industry would stagnate without them [4] - China dominates the global rare earth market, producing 70% of the world's supply and holding 93% of refining capacity, making it difficult for other countries to compete [4] - Europe imports 72% of its rare earths from China, highlighting the continent's significant dependency [6] Group 3: Recent Policy Changes - In October 2023, China announced new export controls on rare earths, primarily restricting military applications while allowing compliant civilian applications [8] - The new regulations are set to take effect on December 1, 2023, and aim to ensure normal industrial cooperation while addressing misuse [8] Group 4: Historical Context of Dependency - The dependency of Europe and Japan on the U.S. has historical roots, stemming from post-World War II dynamics and the establishment of a Western hegemony [12] - Japan views its alliance with the U.S. as crucial for both security and economic growth, while Europe has similarly aligned itself with U.S. interests despite potential conflicts [12][13] Group 5: Consequences of U.S. Policies - The U.S. has faced challenges in its own rare earth industry, which is unable to recover, leading to significant impacts on its technology sector [15] - Internal conflicts within European countries are emerging, as they grapple with the implications of U.S. policies on their own industries [15] Group 6: Future of Rare Earth Supply Chains - Historical precedents show that Western sanctions on Chinese materials have often been short-lived due to the critical nature of these resources for production [16] - Canada claims to have rich rare earth resources, but establishing refining capabilities would take years and be costly, making it uncompetitive with China [16] Group 7: China's Position in the Market - China has developed not only extraction and processing technologies but also holds a significant share of patents in rare earth applications, making it difficult for Western companies to bypass these barriers [18] - China's collaborations with other countries for rare earth processing further complicate the potential for Western nations to sever ties with Chinese supply chains [18] Group 8: Call for Cooperation - The pressure from 31 countries is more about gaining control over rare earth regulations than ensuring supply chain security, as they are uncomfortable with China's assertive stance [20] - A shift from confrontation to cooperation is suggested as the more viable path for resolving the rare earth issue, emphasizing the interdependence of global supply chains [20]