Core Viewpoint - The recent agreement between Trump and Australian Prime Minister Albanese aims to counter China's dominance in the rare earth sector, involving an investment of $8.5 billion in key mineral extraction projects [1][4]. Group 1: Agreement Details - The agreement includes a $1 billion investment from both the U.S. and Australia in rare earth projects over the next six months [1]. - Plans to construct an advanced gallium refining plant in Western Australia with an annual production capacity of 100 tons are part of the deal [1]. - Approximately $2.2 billion in financing will be provided through the Export-Import Bank [1]. Group 2: Challenges in the Rare Earth Sector - Despite the ambitious plans, the U.S. faces significant challenges in disrupting China's established dominance in the rare earth industry, which controls over 85% of global refining and separation capacity [4][11]. - The U.S. once held 90% of the global rare earth supply in the 1980s, but policies led to a decline in its domestic industry, resulting in a fragmented supply chain [4][6]. - Current U.S. efforts to rebuild the rare earth supply chain have not yielded successful projects, with the Mountain Pass mine still relying on China for refining [6][9]. Group 3: Historical Context and Economic Factors - Previous attempts to reduce reliance on Chinese rare earths, such as the "Rare Earth and Critical Materials Revitalization Act" initiated by Obama, have not succeeded due to high production costs in the U.S. [9][11]. - U.S. rare earth production costs are reportedly 50% higher than those in China, impacting competitiveness [11]. - The systemic challenges in the U.S. rare earth supply chain reflect broader issues within American manufacturing, where high costs hinder domestic production [9][11].

«——【·前言·】——» 中国扔下"稀土核弹"，向全世界发起稀土管辖。10月9日，中国商务部在一天之内密集发布6则公告，其 中第61号和第62号公告尤为引人注目。 它们不仅延续了此前对稀土金属及制品的出口限制，更首次将管制范围延伸至稀土全产业链技术及其境 外衍生品。 «——【·中方稀土管控·】——» 10月9日这一天，注定要被刻进全球稀土产业的发展史。中国商务部用一天时间密集抛出6则公告，瞬间 搅动了国际市场的神经。其中第61号与62号公告的分量尤其惊人。它们没止步于延续过往稀土金属及制 品的出口限制，直接把管控的触角伸到了稀土全产业链技术，连境外衍生品都没放过。 现在的玩法完全不同，变成了对"产业生态与核心能力"的精准拿捏。商务部新闻发言人明确表示，此举 是为了防范境外组织非法获取技术用于军事领域，既是维护国家安全，也是履行防扩散国际义务。 这记"核弹"级举措，标志着中国稀土管制彻底完成了质的飞跃。过去的管控还停留在"资源防御"的初级 阶段，核心是守住稀土原矿不流失。 全球稀土产业的格局早就注定了这步棋的威力。数据显示中国2023年稀土矿产量达24万吨，占全球 68.6%的份额。更关键的是，中国是全球唯一具 ...