What has Happened: As relations with China remain strained economically, politically, and militarily, renewed attention is being paid to China’s dominance of rare earth mining and production. These materials have wide ranging uses in green technology, defense technology, medical systems, and in everyday tech. It was announced that President Biden will sign an executive order requiring the government to assess key U.S. industries (and their supply chains) including semiconductor manufacturing, electric car batteries, medical supplies, and their access to rare earth elements. This action seems like it was expedited after it was reported that China is evaluating how to leverage ... Rare Earths – A National Security and Environmental Threat