Rare Metal Blog: DC ‘Leak’: Catalyst for Chinese Rare Earth Supply vs. US National Security Debate
Rare Metal Blog mentioned ASP’s Rare Earth Metals report:
The Obama administration’s case against China’s export policies on rare earth minerals is not only about business concerns — it is about national security. I just returned home from the TREM Critical Metals Summit about Washington’s policy on rare earths and it was “leaked” that a DC report was forthcoming that would negate the need for creating self dependence on rare earth supply and would instead cite global interdependence and the benefits of Chinese economics in supplying cost effective REEs.
A report released in February 2011 called Rare Earth Metals and U.S. National Security, by the American Security Project notes:
- Though the Pentagon claims that the U.S. only uses 5% of the world’s supply of rare earth metals for defense purposes, the U.S. is fully dependent on China for the production of some of its most powerful weapons.
- The U.S. does not track rare earth metals in its weapons systems or platforms. Therefore a shortage of rare earths will affect the strength and readiness of the U.S. military until currently used defense systems are no longer in operation.
Article available here.
To read ASP’s report, Rare Earth Metals and U.S. National Security, click here.
For the factsheet, click here.
