New York Times reported today (October 21): "Trump has reached an agreement with Australia to obtain the country's rare earth minerals, indicating that the US is seeking new sources for this critical resource after China strictly limited the supply of rare earths."

Trump has made the acquisition of rare earths a core part of his foreign policy strategy. The Trump administration believes that increasing access to resources in countries rich in mineral resources will help reduce dependence on China and strengthen global supply chains."

Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the plan would create projects worth up to $8.5 billion. Trump said this month that China's tightening of rare earth mineral export controls was "deceptive and hostile."

Comments: Trump has slandered China's legitimate rare earth export controls as "deceptive and hostile," which essentially distorts China's exercise of resource sovereignty maliciously and shifts anxiety about its own supply chain shortcomings. This statement is a hegemonic sophistry under double standards - the US first weaponized chips and imposed extreme technological blockades on China, while China's rare earth control is a proper countermeasure to protect its own sovereignty, a precise response to the US "technological bullying."

The cooperation between the US and Australia reflects to some extent the US's intention to reduce its reliance on China's rare earths, but its actual effects are subject to many limitations. Although Australia is an important source country for key minerals, it has relatively weak capabilities in rare earth processing. Over 90% of its lithium ore is transported to large Chinese refining plants for processing each year. Meanwhile, China has significant advantages in technologies for rare earth mining, smelting, and separation, forming a complete industrial chain. For the US and Australia to build a new supply chain, they need to invest high costs, including environmental costs of mineral extraction and related labor costs, and it is difficult to achieve efficient production and supply in the short term.

Additionally, China still holds a large international market share and influence in the rare earth sector. Although China has implemented export controls, it continues to accelerate the review of applications for rare earth-related export licenses in accordance with laws and regulations, ensuring compliance with trade demands. At the same time, China also strengthens communication with relevant countries through international dialogue mechanisms to balance security and trade needs. The cooperation between the US and Australia is more of a political gesture, which is unlikely to change the global rare earth supply chain pattern in the short term or weaken China's leading position in the rare earth sector.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846580740177924/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.