特朗普最近在白宫接待了五位中亚国家的领导人，并举行了一个美国－中亚C5+1框架下的会议。此次 会议特别之处在于，虽然这个框架已经成立了10年，但这是首次五国领导人齐聚华盛顿，并且特朗普亲 自主持了这场重要的会晤，甚至安排了包括美国内阁高官在内的多人共进晚餐。这场盛大的聚会明显不 简单，从会议讨论的内容也能看出端倪。 会议的主要议题涉及能源、关键矿产和交通物流等领域。每个议题都与资源与通道紧密相关，尤其是谈 到关键矿产时，可以看到美国最为关注的东西——稀土矿藏。美国对稀土资源的需求，几乎是迫切可见 的。比如，美国的F-35战斗机所需要的耐高温磁体，必须依赖中国的钇、镝、铽等稀土元素；洲际导弹 的精确制导系统也离不开稀土材料；甚至火炮上的激光测距仪，也同样需要中国稀土的核心部件。 为了打破这一局面，过去半年中，美国企业在中亚的活动明显增多。美国商务部长亲自出面，帮助本国 企业与哈萨克斯坦的主权财富基金对接。美国的目标是抢下哈萨克斯坦的一处全球最大未开发钨矿的开 采权，而钨作为关键矿产，用于制造穿甲弹和高温部件等军事物资，美国五角大楼视其为战略性资源， 极为看重。为了推动交易，美国国际开发金融公司甚至表示愿意为这笔 ...

Core Insights - The U.S. has secured a 70% stake in Kazakhstan's largest tungsten mine through Cove Capital LLC, marking a significant geopolitical maneuver amid ongoing tensions with China [1][2] - Tungsten is a critical material for military applications, with the U.S. Department of Defense recognizing its strategic importance due to the heavy reliance on Chinese supplies [1] - Kazakhstan's decision reflects its precarious position between major powers, balancing its economic dependence on China with the need for Western support [2] Group 1 - The U.S. intervention in Kazakhstan's tungsten resources is seen as a preemptive measure for potential military conflicts, highlighting the strategic value of tungsten [1] - The deal comes after a shift in Kazakhstan's diplomatic stance following President Tokayev's visit to the White House, indicating a transactional relationship with the U.S. [2] - The U.S. is not only acquiring tungsten but also facilitating a $4.2 billion railway contract with Kazakhstan and securing mineral exploration rights in Uzbekistan, indicating a broader strategy to consolidate resource control in Central Asia [2]

Core Insights - The recent actions by the U.S. regarding tungsten and rare earth minerals reflect a strategic attempt to compete with China in critical mineral resources, particularly in Kazakhstan's undeveloped tungsten mines and through a significant rare earth supply agreement with Australia [1][4][9] Group 1: Tungsten Mining - The U.S. is attempting to negotiate access to a large undeveloped tungsten mine in Kazakhstan, which is crucial for producing strategic materials like armor-piercing ammunition, with 80% of global production currently in China [1] - The U.S. strategy involves using capital and political pressure to secure resources, but China has already established a foothold in Kazakhstan with operational tungsten processing plants, indicating a significant head start in production capabilities [2][8] - Kazakhstan prefers partnerships that promote long-term industrial development, job creation, and technology transfer, which aligns more closely with China's comprehensive industrial chain approach compared to the U.S. model of resource extraction [2][8] Group 2: Rare Earth Elements - The U.S. signed an $8.5 billion supply agreement with Australia for rare earth elements, aiming to reduce dependence on China, but faces challenges in the entire supply chain, particularly in refining and processing capabilities [4][6] - China's dominance in rare earths is not only due to its reserves but also its advanced refining and separation technologies, which the U.S. lacks after decades of industry decline [4][6] - The U.S. strategy appears to be politically motivated, aiming to create a narrative of success in the face of competition with China, despite the significant technological and market gaps that remain [6][9] Group 3: Geopolitical Dynamics - The U.S. approach of combining high-level diplomacy with threats of tariffs has been met with skepticism in Central Asia, where countries like Kazakhstan are wary of such tactics [2][8] - The ongoing competition for control over critical minerals highlights the importance of a complete supply chain, where the ability to process and refine materials is as crucial as the extraction of raw resources [11] - The disparity between U.S. ambitions and actual capabilities in securing a stable supply chain for critical minerals underscores the challenges faced in reversing decades of industrial decline [9][11]