国内两大稀土巨头再出手提价，市场底气十足，全球买家不得不买账

Core Viewpoint - The perception of China's rare earths in the international market is shifting from being seen as a low-cost strategic resource to one that is increasingly valued and priced accordingly [1][2]. Price Adjustments - In early January, two major domestic rare earth companies, Northern Rare Earth and Baotou Steel, announced a new round of price adjustments, with the price of rare earth concentrate rising by approximately 2.4% to 26,834 yuan per ton, marking the sixth consecutive increase since Q3 2024 [4][5]. - The continuous price increases signal that companies are no longer concerned about selling at higher prices or being replaced by alternatives [6][7]. Supply and Demand Dynamics - The price increase is not sudden but a gradual and controlled rise, reflecting a tightening supply-demand relationship rather than speculative actions [8][9]. - The demand for rare earths is driven by stable expansions in industries such as electric vehicles, wind power, and energy-efficient appliances, with a notable increase in demand for high-performance permanent magnet materials [11][12]. - Supply growth for praseodymium and neodymium oxide is projected to be between 4% and 9% over the next two years, while demand growth may exceed 10% in some years, indicating that supply will not keep pace with demand [15][17]. Impact of U.S. Policy - The U.S. Department of Defense's investment of approximately $400 million in a domestic rare earth company and the establishment of a minimum procurement price for neodymium-praseodymium oxide have raised global price expectations [18][19]. - This U.S. policy aims to ensure the sustainability of the domestic rare earth industry, indirectly signaling to the global market that rare earths should be valued higher [19][21]. Competitive Advantage of China - Despite other countries having rare earth resources, China remains the only country capable of operating a complete and stable supply chain from mining to high-purity separation and downstream applications [23][24]. - The technical challenges in the separation process create a significant barrier for other nations attempting to rebuild their rare earth industries, reinforcing China's competitive edge [25][27]. Strategic Importance - The strategic nature of rare earths is being increasingly recognized, making it unlikely for these resources to return to a fully market-driven, low-price model [27][30]. - The recent price increases reflect a necessary correction towards aligning prices with the true value of rare earths, moving away from the unsustainable "high volume, low price" model [27][30].