[A. Pole]

Until 1998, there were essentially two active mines in the world producing rare earths for the exotic magnets – the Molycorp mine in Mountain Pass, Calif., and China's Baotou mine.
[...]
The year after the U.S. mine shutdown, China met 88 percent of the world demand for rare earths.
[...]
"It's just the natural evolution of technology and manufacturing driven by raw materials," he told WND, referring to China's low labor costs and abundance of rare-earth materials.
[...]
Companies must establish some sort of China capability to remain profitable.

"The whole magnet industry is seeing these types of pressures," he said. "It's a very difficult equation."

Free trade bump.

[harpseal]

Free trade bump.

I realize some consider the term harsh but in this case I think we can give this a Free Traitor bump.

[andy58-in-nh]

That's right, just keep selling 'em the rope, boys. For a country that invented the Smart Bomb, we're pretty damned stupid sometimes.

[stylin19a]

Thanx for the ping.

This seems only fair...we already have Belgium manufacturing our military small arms...and we wouldn't want China to be left out.

</sarcasm off>

[hedgetrimmer]

The year after the U.S. mine shutdown, China met 88 percent of the world demand for rare earths

Thank Senator Diane Feinstein and her financial relationship with China for this. She authored the desert wilderness initiative that included this working mine within its boundaries.