92%靠进口硬脱钩！美国砸重金拉盟友建厂，设备成本直接翻一倍

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the escalating competition between the U.S. and China in the rare earth sector, highlighting the U.S. strategy of spending significantly to reduce dependence on Chinese mineral supplies, even at a higher cost [1]. Group 1: Supply Chain Reconstruction - The U.S. prioritizes forming alliances with allies to create a specialized supply chain, using market and technology incentives [2]. - South Korea's zinc industry is investing $7.4 billion to build a critical mineral smelting plant in Tennessee, with an annual capacity of 540,000 tons [2]. - The project has received backing from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Commerce, and it avoids using Chinese suppliers, resulting in equipment costs being over twice that of conventional options [4]. Group 2: International Collaborations - Japan and Australia are collaborating to develop seabed rare earth resources, aiming to reduce reliance on China by 50% by 2030 [4]. - The U.S. has established a tungsten mining partnership with Kazakhstan, targeting a rare earth deposit of 20 million tons [4]. - India is included in the U.S. strategy to invest in mining projects for lithium and cobalt, positioning it as a supplementary supply node [4]. Group 3: Domestic Efforts - The U.S. recognizes its mining shortcomings, with 92% of rare earths imported and a near absence in heavy rare earth refining [5]. - The U.S. Congress is reviewing the H.R.4090 bill to establish a national policy to become a leading producer of hard rock minerals [5]. - The Department of Defense is investing $750 million to promote domestic rare earth magnet production, setting a price floor of $110 per kilogram, significantly above the current market price of around $60 [7]. Group 4: Trade Barriers and Policies - The "Washington Critical Minerals Cooperation Framework" aims to exclude China, focusing on setting minimum prices for critical raw materials to counter China's low-cost competition [9]. - The G7 has formed a critical minerals working group to coordinate policies regarding mineral trade with China [9]. - The U.S. plans to impose "carbon tariffs" as a green barrier to weaken the competitiveness of Chinese mineral exports [9]. Group 5: Conclusion - The article concludes that the U.S.'s exclusionary tactics may increase costs, while China continues to advance with its complete industrial chain, suggesting that cooperation and mutual benefit are the correct paths in the global mineral sector [10].