USA develops program to reduce dependence on China

The Government of the United States has launched a program to reduce the dependence of the US economy on Chinese exports of rare earths, minerals essential for the manufacture of components for various industrial and technological sectors, without which “modern life would be impossible”, as the US Department of Commerce has admitted.

In a report sent to US President Donald Trump, the Department of the Interior identifies 35 minerals whose importance is critical for the economy and national security, including uranium or titanium, as well as elements belonging to the rare earth group.

In this regard, the US Department of Commerce warns that currently the world’s largest economy is highly dependent on the import of rare earths, noting that this subordination to imports exceeds 50% of their needs in the case of 29 of the 35 minerals cited in the report. In fact, it points out that the US lacks its own production in the case of 14 of the 35 minerals and does not have domestic access for processing and manufacturing.

“These critical minerals are often overlooked, but modern life without them would be impossible,” admitted the US Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, who has assured that the Administration will adopt “unprecedented measures” to guarantee that the US will not lose access to these vital materials.

According to a report by the US International Trade Commission, 59% of the imports of rare earths made by the US in 2018 came from China.

In this sense, alarms have soared regarding Chinese control of these elements, after the National Development and Reform Commission of China has raised the possibility of strengthening the protection of this strategic resource.

K. Tovar

Source: dpa