特朗普打造稀土产业链，美国能弯道超车吗？

Core Viewpoint - The temporary easing of the rare earth issue suggests that the U.S. is determined to build its own rare earth supply chain, with a focus on forming alliances with Western allies to achieve this goal [1][10]. Group 1: U.S. Strategy and Actions - The U.S. has signed agreements with Australia and Japan in the rare earth sector, marking significant progress, but it may be overly optimistic to assume that this will allow the U.S. to overtake China in the short term [3]. - The U.S. aims to diversify its rare earth supply chain, which will take several years, but it can take short-term measures to reduce supply chain risks by enhancing existing capabilities in regions like Australia [3][12]. - The U.S. has set a goal to reduce its reliance on China for rare earths from 80% to 50% by 2030 through initiatives like the "Critical Raw Materials Act" [12]. Group 2: China's Dominance in Rare Earths - China currently supplies 80% of the U.S.'s rare earth imports and 98% of the EU's, highlighting its dominant position in the global rare earth market [8]. - China's technological lead in rare earth processing is attributed to a complete industrial chain developed over decades, supported by government policies [8][4]. - The complexity and cost of separating and purifying rare earth elements present significant barriers for other countries attempting to establish their own supply chains [7][13]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Even with aggressive efforts, the U.S. may take five to seven years to establish a fully functional rare earth supply chain, during which time China could further solidify its position [14]. - The competition in the rare earth sector may intensify once both countries achieve their respective technological advancements in critical areas like semiconductors [14][15].