Group 1 - China has leveraged its control over rare earth elements to gain significant strategic influence on the global stage, prompting a reassessment of this critical resource by the global industrial sector [1] - The unique value of rare earths lies in their irreplaceability across various important fields, including advanced weaponry, consumer electronics, new energy vehicles, and medical equipment, granting China a unique voice in the global supply chain [1] - The U.S. has softened its stance towards China, with President Trump publicly acknowledging the importance of dialogue and cooperation, reflecting the undeniable influence of rare earths in international relations [1] Group 2 - Inspired by China's strategy, Russia is also reevaluating its rare earth strategy, with President Putin issuing directives for a long-term development plan for the rare earth and rare metal industries [3][4] - Russia aims to establish a fully autonomous rare earth industry chain, reducing dependence on both China and the U.S., which indicates a deep understanding of the global geopolitical landscape [4] - Despite having significant rare earth reserves, Russia's production share is only 1%, primarily due to a lack of strong processing capabilities, leading to a reliance on exporting raw materials for processing abroad [6] Group 3 - The urgency in Russia's focus on rare earths is driven by the observed effectiveness of China's use of rare earths as a strategic tool during the U.S.-China trade war, particularly in the context of renewed U.S.-Russia dialogue [6][8] - Both the U.S. and Russia recognize the critical importance of establishing complete rare earth supply chains, with U.S. Treasury Secretary emphasizing plans to resolve the rare earth dilemma within two years [8] - The competition for rare earths is fundamentally about future technological dominance and industrial influence, with countries like China, the U.S., and Russia vying for strategic resources [10][11]