White House Ramps Up Efforts to Eliminate China’s Chokehold on Rare Earths

A minimum price guarantee offered to the domestic rare earth sector could significantly accelerate the timeline of reaching U.S. supply chain independence.

A man driving a front loader shifts soil containing rare earth minerals to be loaded at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China, on Sept. 5, 2010. STR/AFP via Getty Images

The White House plans to expand its support for domestic rare earth businesses to counter China’s near monopoly on rare earth minerals.

Senior officials informed a group of rare earth companies at a recent meeting that the Trump administration intends to form public-private partnerships to boost domestic production and extend a minimum price guarantee to their products.