中方稀土出口管制延缓一年，美国捡到救命稻草？美媒：这是在饮鸩止渴

Core Viewpoint - The temporary agreement between China and the U.S. to delay certain rare earth export controls for one year is seen as a short-term relief but ultimately a dangerous gamble for the U.S. [1][12] Group 1: Importance of Rare Earths - Rare earths are essential for modern technology, including smartphones, electric vehicle batteries, missile guidance systems, and chip manufacturing [3][4] - China controls over 90% of global rare earth processing capacity and the entire supply chain from mining to refining, making the U.S. heavily reliant on Chinese resources [3][4][6] Group 2: Technical Superiority - China's advantage lies not just in resource availability but in its advanced processing technology, achieving purity levels that are significantly higher than those of U.S. facilities [4][6] - The U.S. has struggled to develop its own processing capabilities, with domestic production still less than 5% of China's despite significant investments [6][8] Group 3: Global Standards and Influence - China is establishing itself as a rule-maker in the rare earth sector, having implemented international standards that dictate extraction and processing practices [6][10] - This shift in power dynamics mirrors historical precedents like OPEC's influence over oil pricing, indicating a potential restructuring of the global tech supply chain [6][10] Group 4: Western Responses and Challenges - Efforts by the U.S. and its allies to create alternative supply chains have been largely ineffective, with slow progress in domestic production and high barriers to entry in rare earth processing [8][10] - The U.S. has faced significant delays in its "rare earth independence plan," with minimal increases in domestic processing capacity over the past four years [8][10] Group 5: Strategic Implications - The one-year buffer provided by China is viewed as a warning rather than a solution, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to reconsider its approach to trade and technology [12][14] - The ongoing struggle for dominance in the rare earth sector reflects a broader conflict between unilateral hegemony and a multipolar order, highlighting the interdependence of global supply chains [14]