Not Just ‘Rare Earths’: U.S. Gets Many Critical Minerals From China

Three years ago, after the pandemic had laid bare the world’s vulnerability to supply-chain disruptions, the U.S. government designated a large swath of the periodic table of elements — 50 minerals in all — as “critical.

” The United States obtains more than half of them, including a category of 17 minerals known as “ ,” mostly from China. And this week, China on six rare earths, all but halting U.S.



access to new supplies. Here’s a look at just how dependent the United States is on China for a broad range of these critical minerals, including rare earths. U.

S. relies on China for many critical minerals Share of U.S.

imports sourced from China Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass 72% Medical and atomic research 68% Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants 63% Semiconductors 58% Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells 42% Hydrocarbon production 30% Wear-resistant metals 27% Fiber optics, night vision 26% Electronic components 24% Nuclear control rods, alloys 22% Integrated circuits, optical devices 21% Alloys, reducing metals 9% Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline 6% Rechargeable batteries 3% Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass, metallurgy, polishing compounds 72% Medical and atomic research 68% Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants 63% Semiconductors 58% Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells 42% Hydrocarbon production 30% Wear-resistant metals 27% Fiber optics, night vision 26% Electronic components 24% Nuclear control rods, alloys, high-temperature ceramics 22% Integrated circuits, optical devices 21% Alloys, reducing metals 9% Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline, fluorine chemicals 6% Rechargeable batteries 3% Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass 72% Medical and atomic research 68% Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants 63% Semiconductors 58% Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells 42% Hydrocarbon production 30% Wear-resistant metals 27% Fiber optics, night vision 26% Electronic components 24% Nuclear control rods, alloys 22% Integrated circuits, optical devices 21% Alloys, reducing metals 9% Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline 6% Rechargeable batteries 3% Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass, metallurgy 72% Medical and atomic research 68% Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants 63% Semiconductors 58% Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells 42% Hydrocarbon production 30% Wear-resistant metals 27% Fiber optics, night vision 26% Electronic components 24% Nuclear control rods, alloys, high-temperature ceramics 22% Integrated circuits, optical devices 21% Alloys, reducing metals 9% Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline, fluorine chemicals 6% Rechargeable batteries 3% Percentages refer to minerals in their raw and refined forms, not finished goods. Uses are listed for illustrative purposes. U.

S. Geological Survey, TD Bank By The New York Times China not only mines most of the world’s rare earths, it is home to most of the world’s capacity for refining them. Refining refers to the process of taking the raw minerals and turning them into compounds that have broad industrial applications, whether in batteries or semiconductors or fiber optics, or even the magnets that enable power steering in most vehicles.

Many rare earths have chemical properties that make them heat resistant, so they can be used to create high-quality magnets, glass, lights and batteries. Magnets made from rare earths are significantly more powerful and valuable than other types, particularly in . We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

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