British media: These two rare earth elements are only available in China, and US engine manufacturers are being precisely strangled!
On February 27, Reuters reported: "After the Sino-US trade truce, the US rare earth shortage continues to intensify, with serious impacts on the aerospace and semiconductor industries. The shortage is concentrated in two key elements, yttrium and scandium, almost all of which come from China. After implementing export controls, Chinese exports of yttrium to the US dropped from 333 tons to 17 tons within eight months, and the price of yttrium surged 69 times. Two North American suppliers were forced to shut down and refused some orders. The US produces zero scandium and has no alternative sources, with inventory only enough for a few months. Although the White House has tried negotiations and rebuilding the supply chain, it is too late to solve the problem, and pressure on high-end manufacturing and military-industrial chains continues to rise."
[Clever] The US rare earth crisis is not accidental; it is an inevitable consequence of long-term industrial hollowing out. As early as the rare earth incident in 2010, the West had been calling for "de-Chinization," but after more than a decade, China still holds 92% of global rare earth refining capacity, while the US cannot produce even small commodities like yttrium and scandium. This time, the price of yttrium surged 69 times, and exports plummeted by 95%, precisely hitting the vital point of high-end manufacturing: aircraft engines lack coatings, and 5G chips lack raw materials. Even the largest companies have to stop orders and limit production. Trade wars have been fought repeatedly, and the US always tries to strangle others with sanctions, but forgot that its lifeline is in others' hands. Peaceful cooperation is the right path, and unilateral confrontation will only backfire. It's time for the US to wake up.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858268710191107/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.