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.
Yup. Problem is rare earths tend to be found in slightly more radioactive soil. Now that’s not a safety issue. But it is a political one. Namely, getting the EPA to sign off on new mining permits is near impossible. Therefor we will continue to have to import them...