China Withholds Rare Minerals From US

And the US is 15 years away from having its own supply
By Aaron Cowan,  Newser User
Posted Oct 19, 2010 11:41 PM CDT Posted Oct 19, 2010 11:41 PM CDT
Promoted on Newser Oct 20, 2010 1:11 PM CDT
Trade War: China Withholds Rare Minerals From US
The Chinese have cut off rare earth minerals first to Japan, and now to the US.   (Getty Images)

Recent trade spats with the US have caused Chinese officials to block shipments of rare earth minerals, a key element of high-tech products ranging from hybrid cars to missiles. China controls production of 97% of so-called rare earth minerals, LiveScience reports, which really aren't so much rare as expensive and time-consuming to process. Experts say it might take the US up to 15 years to get its own supplies.

Last month China also cut Japan off in a dispute over the arrest of Chinese fishermen, affecting battery production for the Prius. Toyota, however, is believed to have large temporary stockpiles of these minerals, whereas many US firms do not. Click here for Paul Krugman's take. Read the full article here. (More US-China relations stories.)

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