The Chinese are, surprise, surprise!, restricting rare earth metal exports and favoring sales to Chinese companies.
Not exactly a shock from a country that provides 97% of the world’s current supply.
And of course Beijing’s excuse is, wait for it!, a desire not to add to environmental destruction through more mining!
Meanwhile, the US, Japan, and other countries have to decide whether to start up their own rare earth mining and engage in the sort of stockpiling/retaliation schemes and WTO nose thumbing that is the hallmark of Chinese trade policy.
Gorilla says: “We’re all Chilean miners now!”
