Rare Earth Chokepoints: China’s Refining Dominance and the Multi-Tier Exposure of Western Supply Chains
The source indicates China dominates rare-earth elements through both extraction and, more critically, refining, creating a structural chokepoint for advanced manufacturing and defense-linked supply chains. Interos mapping suggests U.S. and European exposure is heavily concentrated in indirect (tier-2/tier-3) relationships, increasing vulnerability to sanctions, tariffs, and origin-based restrictions.