科技霸权的暗流：一场以稀土为名的全球博弈 科技霸权的角逐，远比单纯的经济利益更复杂，而这场无声的战争，正以稀土为舞台，上演着一出出精彩绝伦的戏剧。 美国近期对一家本土 稀土企业MP公司的巨额注资，便是这出大戏中最引人注目的一个场景。这家公司股价暴涨五成，背后是美国五角大楼斥资四亿美元的"战略 性"投资。这一举动，无疑将美国与中国在稀土领域的博弈推向了高潮。 表面上看，这是美国政府为了摆脱对中国稀土的依赖，保障其国防和高科技产业的战略安全。然而，细究之下，我们才能发现这场博弈的真 正意味。MP公司，虽然自诩为美国稀土行业的"独苗"，但其股东名单却令人啼笑皆非：中国盛和集团持有其8%的股份，稳居前三大股东之 列。这意味着，这家号称"本土"的企业，其命脉实际上掌握在中国手中。 MP公司所开采的稀土矿石，必须运回中国进行精加工才能变废为 宝，这就好比麦当劳向肯德基借用炸鸡秘方一样，令人尴尬。 四亿美元的巨额投资，美国政府的目的昭然若揭：通过增持股份，超越中国股东，夺回对MP公司的控制权，从而切断中国稀土精加工产业 链。未来，即便MP公司开采出再多的稀土矿石，也可能囤积在仓库里，不会再流向中国。这，正是美国试图扼杀中国 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights a significant increase in the import of antimony oxide by the United States from Thailand and Mexico, which raises concerns about a potential smuggling network involving Chinese enterprises [1][7]. Group 1: Smuggling Operations - Between December 2024 and April 2025, the U.S. imported 3,834 tons of antimony oxide from Thailand and Mexico, surpassing the total of the previous three years [1][7]. - The smuggling operations involve disguising Chinese rare earth materials as other products, such as iron ore and zinc, to evade customs regulations [3][9]. - A Chinese metal chemical company's subsidiary in Thailand reportedly shipped 3,366 tons of antimony products to the U.S. within six months, marking a 27-fold increase year-on-year [5]. Group 2: Economic Implications - The surge in international rare earth prices, which have risen by 200% since 2024, has incentivized some Chinese companies to engage in smuggling for higher profits [11]. - Smuggling profits can reach 3-5 times that of normal trade, creating a vicious cycle that distorts international market prices and attracts more participants into illegal trading [11]. Group 3: Military Supply Chain Vulnerabilities - The smuggling case exposes critical vulnerabilities in the U.S. military supply chain, with a significant reliance on Chinese-produced materials for key weapon systems [12][15]. - Approximately 90% of global rare earth processing capacity is concentrated in China, and over 80% of the U.S. military's rare earth material needs are sourced from China [15]. Group 4: Regulatory Responses - In response to the smuggling issue, China initiated a special action in May 2025 to combat illegal activities related to rare earth exports, including enhanced customs inspections and data sharing with industry associations [19][21]. - New amendments to the Mineral Resources Law have increased penalties for rare earth smuggling, and several cases have already been prosecuted, involving significant quantities of metals [21]. Group 5: Strategic Implications - The ongoing rare earth competition reflects a broader struggle for control over global supply chains, with China leveraging its technological advantages to shape international trade rules [23]. - Efforts by the U.S. to rebuild its supply chain have been largely ineffective, with significant time required to establish independence from Chinese sources [17].