8个多月过去，美国稀土产业链怎么样了？美企：中国欺负我们

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. is aggressively pursuing "rare earth independence" in response to China's export controls, marking a significant shift in government policy and investment strategy [1][3][21] Government Actions - The U.S. government has taken unprecedented steps, including signing executive orders to increase mineral supply as a national security task and initiating legal investigations for potential trade protections [5][19] - The Department of Defense has invested directly in MP Materials, promising stable pricing and product buyouts for the next decade, indicating a shift from merely providing subsidies to becoming a true investor [5][19] Industry Response - MP Materials has ceased low-priced rare earth exports to China, redirecting resources to the domestic market, which reflects a strategic shift despite the short-term financial losses [8][10] - The company aims to extend its operations from mining to magnet manufacturing, creating a complete supply chain, although this transition faces significant challenges due to a hollowed-out domestic industry [10][12] Challenges in Implementation - The U.S. rare earth industry has historically relied on foreign sources, making a complete domestic transition difficult and time-consuming [8][12] - While government funding is available, the industry lacks the necessary efficiency and infrastructure to support rapid growth, with many projects still in the planning stages [7][18] Global Resource Search - The U.S. is also looking globally for resources in countries like Myanmar, Australia, Canada, and Greenland, but faces geopolitical and technical challenges in securing these resources [12][14] - Domestic mining projects are hindered by high environmental standards and lengthy approval processes, complicating the timeline for production [14][19] Long-term Outlook - The current U.S. strategy appears to be more of a "strategic backup" rather than an immediate replacement for Chinese supplies, with significant costs and reliance on government support [19][21] - The U.S. rare earth industry still lacks competitive market strength, and any reduction in government support could jeopardize the viability of these enterprises [19][21]