周一，美国总统特朗普公布了新型"特朗普级"战列舰计划，宣称该舰将是"全球最快、最大，且威力远 超以往任何战列舰100倍的超级战舰"。 他盛赞这款战舰是"最致命的水面作战舰艇之一"，承诺其将"助力维护美国军事霸权，让全球美国的敌 人闻风丧胆"。 但一个显而易见的问题浮出水面：战列舰早已过时数十年。美国最后一艘战列舰建造于80多年前，而海 军最后一批衣阿华级（Iowa-class）战列舰也在近30年前正式退役。 曾经凭借巨型舰炮成为海军实力象征的战列舰，早已被航空母舰和配备远程导弹的现代驱逐舰所超越。 尽管将这款新型水面作战舰艇称为"战列舰"可能名不副实，但国防专家指出，特朗普的愿景与现代海战 理念之间仍存在诸多鸿沟。 1944年建成的"密苏里号"（USS Missouri）是美国最后一艘战列舰，1945年这里曾见证日本投降，极具 历史意义。 战略与国际研究中心（CSIS）高级顾问马克・坎西安（Mark Cancian）直接否定了这一想法，他在12月 23日的评论文章中写道："这场讨论毫无必要，因为这艘船永远不会启航。" 他认为，该项目设计周期过长、成本过于高昂，且与海军当前推行的分布式火力战略背道而驰。 "下一 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the strategic importance of rare earth elements in the context of U.S.-China relations, emphasizing China's dominant position in the global rare earth market and the implications of its export controls on U.S. industries [1][3][10]. Group 1: Rare Earth Elements Overview - Rare earth elements consist of 17 metals that play a crucial role in modern technology and military applications, being referred to as "industrial vitamins" [1]. - China holds approximately 44 million tons of rare earth reserves, accounting for nearly 40% of the global total, and is projected to produce 270,000 tons in 2024, representing 70% of global output [3][4]. Group 2: China's Dominance and Technological Advancements - China has developed a complete and advanced rare earth processing industry, controlling 90% of the global refining technology, which gives it a significant advantage over other countries [3][4]. - The introduction of advanced extraction technologies has allowed China to improve purity and reduce costs, transitioning from a reliance on imports to a leadership role in the global rare earth market [4]. Group 3: U.S. Dependency and Strategic Concerns - The U.S. military and high-tech industries heavily depend on Chinese rare earth supplies, with significant portions of materials required for advanced military equipment sourced from China [6][9]. - The U.S. is seeking to negotiate with China to ease export restrictions on rare earths to meet domestic industrial needs, indicating a critical reliance on Chinese resources [6][10]. Group 4: Environmental and Resource Management - China is implementing stricter controls on rare earth mining and exports to ensure sustainable resource management and to protect the environment, reflecting a shift towards higher value-added processing [4][7]. - The focus on sustainable practices aims to prevent over-exploitation of rare earth resources for short-term gains, ensuring availability for future generations [7]. Group 5: Diplomatic and Strategic Implications - Rare earths have become a significant bargaining chip in U.S.-China diplomatic relations, with both countries vying for control over this critical resource [9][10]. - The outcome of negotiations regarding rare earth exports could influence broader U.S.-China relations, impacting economic, technological, and military dynamics between the two nations [10].

Core Insights - The Trump administration is drafting an executive order to authorize U.S. companies to mine polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific, which are rich in nickel, cobalt, manganese, and rare earth elements, to bolster U.S. strategic reserves against potential conflicts with China [1] - The focus on rare earth exports has intensified following the suspension of tariffs between the U.S. and China, with the U.S. aiming to secure its access to rare earths while China views its dominance in this sector as a strategic advantage [1][3] - The U.S. military's heavy reliance on rare earth materials has raised concerns, as the majority of rare earth processing capabilities are concentrated in China, with over 80% of U.S. rare earth imports sourced from there [3][7] Industry Dynamics - Following China's announcement of export controls on seven categories of heavy rare earths, prices for rare earth metals have surged, with dysprosium prices doubling to $850 per kilogram and terbium prices increasing over 210% to $3,000 per kilogram [3] - The Chinese government has initiated measures to combat smuggling of strategic minerals, reminiscent of policies from 2010-2011 that led to a spike in global rare earth prices [5] - The U.S. faces challenges not only in mining but also in refining rare earths, as it has historically relied on China for processing, which complicates the supply chain for critical military applications [7]