P!
Get ready.....
Well, well. Another “national security” crisis avoided. What a relief. Just hope one of our east asian allies never goes to war with China over a small island in the pacific that is buried in seagull droppings.
The rare earths are rare only in comparison to more common elements such as silicon and aluminum. They are found in vast quantities throughout the lithosphere, and at $150 per kg they can be profitably mined at sites all over the world. China happens to have a combination of rich deposits and cheap labor that will naturally dominate the market when the price is $10/kg, but we can get this stuff almost as cheaply from Utah if necessary.