Can the US Break China's Grip on Rare Earths?

About this episode

David Abraham discusses the challenges and strategies for the US in addressing China's dominance in the rare earth supply chain.

Rare earth elements are inside pretty much everything with an on-off switch: Phones, laptops, cars. Even missiles. And China controls the world’s supply of components made from rare earths. David Abraham is the author of the book “ The Elements of Power: Gadgets, Guns, and the Struggle for a Sustainable Future in the Rare Metal Age .” David’s problem is this: What should the US do about China's chokehold on the rare earth supply chain? According to Abraham, the current US strategy could wind up costing billions of dollars without solving the problem. And he has a big idea for what we should do instead. In this episode, David explains: How China quietly built a monopoly on rare earth materials Why the 2010 Japan crisis was a preview of today's trade war China’s export restriction strategy  Why the problem goes deeper than billions in spending can solve Why electric vehicles are the key to reinvigorating the U.S. rare earth industry Learn more:  Find David at his website   Buy the Elements of Power Check out David’s article in the new Republic Connect with us: Follow Jacob Goldstein on LinkedIn , X and Instagram  Email us at…

People in this episode

Guest: David Abraham

Topics covered

• rare earth elements
• China's supply chain
• US strategy
• electric vehicles
• trade war
• sustainable future

Keywords

• rare earths
• China
• US strategy
• electric vehicles
• trade war
• supply chain
• David Abraham

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pushkin Industries, iHeartPodcasts

Books & works: The Elements of Power: Gadgets, Guns, and the Struggle for a Sustainable Future in the Rare Metal Age

Places: China, US, Japan, U.S.

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