Beijing’s Rare-Earth Dominance Limits EV Makers’ Choices, Expert Says

While efforts are underway to catch up, the aggressive marketing of electric vehicles plays right into the hands of China’s state-owned firms.
Beijing’s Rare-Earth Dominance Limits EV Makers’ Choices, Expert Says
An electric vehicle charging station in Irvine, Calif., on Nov. 28, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
Michael Washburn
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Chinese firms’ dominance of rare earth and precious metals supply chains extends so far that the makers of electronic vehicles (EVs) cannot promote their products aggressively in global markets without benefiting Beijing.

Though the Biden administration may be aware of how far the United States lags behind China when it comes to lithium and cobalt production, and has made some belated efforts on the research and development front, these efforts are too little, too late. That’s the view of Christopher Tang, faculty director of the UCLA Center for Global Management and chair of the university’s business administration department.

Michael Washburn
Michael Washburn
Reporter
Michael Washburn is a New York-based reporter who covers U.S. and China-related topics for The Epoch Times. He has a background in legal and financial journalism, and also writes about arts and culture. Additionally, he is the host of the weekly podcast Reading the Globe. His books include “The Uprooted and Other Stories,” “When We're Grownups,” and “Stranger, Stranger.”
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