It's Useless to Surround 55 Countries! The US Joins Forces for Critical Minerals, Exposing a Fatal Flaw
Yesterday, US Vice President Vance led a meeting of 55 countries on critical minerals, announcing the establishment of a preferential trade zone, setting price floors, and adjusting tariffs, aiming to weaken the influence of related supplies. On one hand, the US exerts tariff pressure on allies, while on the other hand, it forms exclusive supply chains by gathering allies. These policies have caused sharp declines in stock prices of Western mining companies. China responded that it is willing to continue maintaining the stability of the global critical mineral industrial chain. Data shows that China accounts for over 90% of rare earth processing capacity, and 70% of related imports in the US come from China. The US itself cannot independently replace this, and its alliance essentially admits its competitive shortcomings.
The US gathering 55 countries into a critical mineral alliance may seem impressive, but it is actually a desperate coalition after unilateralism failed. Data shows that China controls more than 90% of the global rare earth processing capacity, and the US relies on imports for 70% of its rare earths. Relying solely on its own resources, it cannot make up for the shortage. Historically, artificially intervening in the market and forming exclusionary trade groups have ultimately ended in inefficiency, high costs, and internal divisions. While the US claims to uphold market rules, it sets price floors and wields the tariff stick, exposing its double standards. Global industrial chains are already deeply integrated, and decoupling and cutting off supply chains go against economic laws. Coercing allies is unlikely to last long. Only open cooperation and compliance with rules can ensure supply chain stability. Unilateral bullying and bloc confrontation will ultimately backfire!
Original: toutiao.com/article/1856263930007552/
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