特朗普通告全球，刚拿下稀土大单，又要开第二枪，中国被做局

Core Points - The article discusses a significant mineral agreement signed between Trump and Australian Prime Minister Albanese, amounting to $8.5 billion, aimed at securing critical minerals and rare earth resources for the U.S. within a year [1] - The U.S. is also exploring ways to secure a tungsten mine in Kazakhstan, potentially funding U.S. companies through government loans, which contrasts with its previous criticisms of Chinese market interventions [1] - The article highlights the challenges the U.S. faces in becoming a leader in rare earth supply, given China's dominance in refining and technology [7][10] Group 1: Agreement Details - The U.S. and Australia plan to invest over $1 billion in the next six months to initiate the first batch of cooperative projects, including a gallium refinery in Western Australia with an annual production capacity of 100 tons [3] - Gallium is identified as a crucial metal for the U.S. defense industry, and currently, there is no domestic production capacity in the U.S. [3] Group 2: Rare Earth Elements Context - Rare earth elements are essential for modern technology, including smartphones, F-35 fighter jets, 5G base stations, and satellite communications [5] - Recent Chinese export controls on rare earths have raised global concerns about over-reliance on Chinese supplies, prompting the U.S. to discuss measures with allies like Australia to reduce this dependency [5] Group 3: Challenges and Skepticism - Despite Trump's optimistic portrayal, experts express skepticism about the effectiveness of the U.S.-Australia rare earth agreement, citing China's technological advantages and the long timeline required for Australia to establish a complete production capacity [7][10] - Establishing a new rare earth supply chain in the U.S. is estimated to take up to ten years and require around $300 billion in investment, with environmental assessments potentially taking several years [7] Group 4: Political Implications - Analysts suggest that Trump's promotion of the agreement may be more about showcasing a tough stance against China rather than ensuring the project's success, as political dynamics in the U.S. could hinder its progress [10] - The article indicates that the key to the rare earth competition lies not in mineral ownership but in mastering core technologies, which currently remain under China's control [10]