江宇舟：15年稀土梦碎，美国真就是“体制问题”

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent developments in the U.S. rare earth strategy under the Trump administration, highlighting the inconsistencies and challenges faced in breaking China's dominance in the rare earth sector. It emphasizes systemic issues within the U.S. that hinder effective policy implementation and industry growth. Group 1: U.S. Rare Earth Strategy - The Trump administration has shown a strong interest in rare earth elements, signing agreements with Japan and claiming to break China's control over the sector within two years [1][12][13] - The U.S. Geological Survey does not list Ukraine as a major rare earth holder, contradicting claims made by Trump regarding significant rare earth resources in Ukraine [2][3] - The U.S. has been attempting to reduce its reliance on Chinese rare earths for over 15 years, with various legislative efforts aimed at rebuilding domestic production and supply chains [6][7][12] Group 2: Challenges in Implementation - Despite numerous policies and plans, the U.S. has made limited progress in establishing a competitive rare earth industry, with only one major mine, Mountain Pass, currently operational [11][13][28] - The average time for mineral exploration and development in the U.S. is significantly longer than in other countries, leading to delays in production [25][28] - The U.S. faces a talent shortage in the mining sector, with only a small number of graduates entering the rare earth field each year, compared to thousands in China [24][25] Group 3: International Collaboration and Market Dynamics - The U.S. is seeking partnerships with allies like Australia to develop rare earth supply chains, but faces challenges in achieving significant production levels [20][31] - The global market for rare earths is relatively small, which limits the economic viability of large-scale investments in the U.S. [31][32] - The U.S. Department of Defense has been involved in financing rare earth projects, but the effectiveness of these investments remains uncertain [32][33] Group 4: Systemic Issues - The article highlights systemic problems within the U.S. government that impede the efficiency of rare earth policy implementation, including bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of cohesive strategy [36][39] - The U.S. has struggled to compete with China's established rare earth industry, which has a well-developed supply chain and technological advantages [44][51] - The article concludes that the U.S. needs to address these systemic issues to make meaningful progress in its rare earth strategy and reduce dependence on China [39][49]