The United States Seeks to Boost Rare Earth Production, Facing Dual Challenges of Processing and the Environment

German media: The US seeks to increase rare earth production, facing huge challenges

This month, Trump signed an 850 million USD (about 730 million euros) rare earth agreement.

Experts point out that the real challenge to reduce reliance on Chinese rare earths lies in expanding refining and processing capacity.

Carl Friedhof, an expert at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, stated in a blog post on October 16: "The US first needs to focus on the midstream, which is processing and refining."

He emphasized: "If we don't control the midstream, even if we have the raw ore, we must send them to China for processing." Therefore, the US must establish processing plants and refineries in other countries.

But he added that this would bring "many problems, especially environmental challenges."

Source: DW

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847244657708044/

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