Pentagon Develops Plan To Cut U.S. Reliance On Chinese 'Rare Earth' Minerals

China is by far the world's largest exporter of rare earth minerals, producing more than 95 per cent of the chemical elements used worldwide, or 120,000 tonnes every year

Daily Mail: Pentagon produces secret plan to cut U.S. reliance on China for 'rare earth' minerals - essential for nuclear power plants and LED lights - after Beijing uses a coded message for WAR to hint it will ban exports

* Pentagon sends report to Congress on 'rare earth' minerals, almost all of which are imported from China
* Chinese state media warned the U.S. not to underestimate Beijing's capabilities
* It used a diplomatic term usually reserved by officials to signal the start of a war
* It also said it wouldn't be hard for Beijing to make a decision over rumored ban
* 'It's unarguable that the U.S. depends highly on the global supply chain,' it wrote
* The minerals are used in high technology applications vital to everyday life, from nuclear reactors to medical scanners

The U.S. Defense Department has submitted a report to Congress on rare earth minerals as it looks to reduce American reliance on China, the Pentagon said on Wednesday, amid mounting concern in Washington about Beijing's role as a supplier.

Although the Pentagon did not provide details of the report, it said it was tied to a federal program designed to bolster domestic production capabilities by offering 'tailored' economic incentives.

The move came hours after China hinted that a trade war with the U.S. could lead to real war with a coded warning as it threatens to stop exporting essential 'rare earth' minerals.

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More News On The Pentagon Developing A Plan To Cut U.S. Reliance On Chinese 'Rare Earth' Minerals

Pentagon seeks funds to reduce U.S. reliance on China's rare earth metals -- Reuters
Pentagon Working on Reducing US Reliance on Chinese Rare Earth Minerals -- Sputnik
U.S. Fighter Jets and Missiles Are in China’s Rare-Earth Firing Line -- Bloomberg
China's next move in the trade war could cripple US F-35 stealth fighter production -- Business Insider
China could use rare earth metals embargo to land killer blow on US defense industry -- RT
Pentagon says US-China trade war won’t ‘spill over’ into military talks -- CNBC

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