Following China’s new export restrictions, demand surged at America’s only rare earths mine, according to the Associated Press. MP Materials’ Mountain Pass site in California can’t meet full U.S. demand, prompting President Trump to fast-track new mining projects.
The move is a response to China’s dominance in rare earth processing—supplying nearly 90% globally—and its targeted restrictions on minerals used in defense and tech. U.S. efforts now focus on expanding processing and securing alternative sources in Nebraska and Montana.
Analysts warn that while short-term supplies may hold, prices are rising fast—and true energy independence could take years to materialize.
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