US ‘Heavily Dependent’ on China for Rare Earth Elements: Rep. Stauber

A loader shifts soil containing rare earth minerals to be loaded at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China, for export to Japan. China controls the world’s supply of rare earth minerals, and the United States is seeking partnerships with allies to reduce its dependence on China. STR/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. dependency on China for rare earth elements is a security risk and is being exacerbated by the Biden administration’s forced transition to so-called green technologies, according to lawmakers and experts.

The Biden administration’s top-down push toward renewable energy requires an enormous growth in the mining of rare earth elements. Currently, the United States relies on the mining and processing powers of China, which has far worse environmental regulations, to achieve many of its needs.