Asger Risom
China’s dominance over rare earth minerals gives it unmatched leverage in AI, defense, and energy. As the West scrambles to catch up, the stakes are nothing short of technological survival.
In today’s geopolitical arena, control over rare earth elements has quietly become one of the most strategic assets on the planet.
These 17 critical minerals are essential for nearly every pillar of modern innovation—from clean energy and semiconductors to electric vehicles, defense systems, and artificial intelligence.
But the global supply chain for refining and processing them remains overwhelmingly in China’s hands, as El Economista reports.
A monopoly decades in the making
China didn’t stumble into this role. Its dominance is the result of a calculated strategy stretching back more than 20 years, building not just extraction capabilities but also refining infrastructure and logistics networks.
When Beijing blocked exports to Japan in 2010 and again retaliated against the U.S. with restrictions in 2023 and 2025, it made clear that rare earths are more than just commodities—they’re geopolitical bargaining chips.
The West’s scramble for supply
The United States, aware of its late entry into the game, is now rushing to secure domestic sources, reopen mothballed mines, and ink deals with resource-rich nations.
Meanwhile, the European Union is pursuing a more diplomatic path, brokering non-binding agreements with countries like Chile, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. But these arrangements come with risks—political instability, corruption, and weak regulatory oversight frequently undermine them.
While Europe emphasizes sustainability and human rights in its strategy, China presses ahead without environmental or labor constraints. The U.S. takes a more pragmatic route, focusing on access above all.
For Europe to play a serious role in this mineral chessboard, it will need to unify its fragmented interests into a single strategic voice.
Why it matters now more than ever
Western tech development, energy security, and military readiness all rely on a steady supply of rare earths.
A disruption could halt entire industries. AI training models, electric car production, cybersecurity systems, and modern weaponry—all depend on rare earth materials largely refined in China.
This is not just about trade or technology. It’s about sovereignty. Without a cohesive, forward-thinking strategy, the West risks losing not just economic momentum, but geopolitical influence for decades to come.
What’s at stake isn’t just supply chains—it’s who defines the future of innovation and power. And in this silent war over the world’s most critical resources, indecision could be fatal.