稀土被中国玩明白了！万斯下通牒：或取消稀土管制或美动所有筹码

Core Viewpoint - China's new rare earth export control measures are a strategic move that directly impacts the U.S. high-tech and defense industries, revealing the U.S.'s vulnerability in this sector [1][4][19]. Group 1: China's Rare Earth Control Measures - The new regulations require all overseas products containing more than 0.1% Chinese rare earth elements to obtain export permission from China [1]. - The measures impose strict limitations on rare earth exports for military purposes, indicating a targeted approach to control critical resources [1][4]. - China holds approximately 48% of the world's rare earth reserves and accounts for 69% of global production, giving it significant leverage [5][11]. Group 2: U.S. Dependency on Chinese Rare Earths - The U.S. relies heavily on Chinese rare earths, with 87% of its 153 main battle equipment types requiring these materials for production [4]. - The F-35 stealth fighter jet requires nearly half a ton of rare earth compounds per unit, highlighting the critical nature of these materials in defense systems [4]. - The U.S. has a dependency rate of up to 70% on Chinese rare earths, which complicates its ability to respond to China's export controls [5][11]. Group 3: U.S. Technological Limitations - The U.S. lacks mature rare earth refining and separation technology, necessitating that most mined materials be sent to China for processing [7][10]. - Even with government funding, U.S. companies like MP Materials are still far behind China's industrial standards in rare earth purification [10][13]. - The construction of a U.S. rare earth processing facility would require significant investment and face environmental regulatory challenges, making it difficult to meet domestic demand [16][19]. Group 4: Strategic Implications - The U.S. has not effectively addressed its reliance on rare earths over the past fifteen years, leading to a situation where it has limited options to counter China's control [19]. - China's control over the supply chain extends beyond rare earths to include superhard materials, crucial for the semiconductor and military industries, further solidifying its strategic advantage [21]. - Any aggressive U.S. response could destabilize the global economy, highlighting the risks associated with its dependency on Chinese resources [23].