Rare Earth Minerals: A Farewell to America!
U.S. President Donald Trump struck a series of deals with Australia and countries of East Asia to secure rare earth minerals, aiming to reduce reliance on Chinese imports. These materials are essential for producing fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets, chips for artificial intelligence and electronic components, in general.
According to "Mining Technology," Beijing controls 69% of the global production of rare earth element ores and 90% of the world's capacity for processing and refining them. This ongoing rivalry between the U.S. and China has created an urgent need for the former to secure these resources to cover the shortfall in its military industries. On the other hand, China needs the U.S. market to export its goods, as well as American expertise in the technology and design of microchips, which is dominated by companies in Washington. Chinese factories still rely on systems and technologies from Washington and Amsterdam. For instance, Beijing has attempted to acquire these technologies from Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography, considered the most important Dutch company in the world for manufacturing electronic chip machinery. Amsterdam, in turn, has faced significant pressures from Washington not to export those technologies.
Therefore, we arrive at the point when, in theory, the two sides need each other; however, in practice, China is actively seeking to acquire these micro technologies for manufacturing electronic chips. This can only be achieved in one of three ways: first, obtaining the technology from the Netherlands; second, gaining control of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's factories in Taiwan, which produce the world's most advanced chips; third, developing a domestic system, which would require years to achieve.
However, a legitimate question arises: If China were to acquire these advanced and cutting-edge technologies, would our world become more stable? And would the U.S. accept defeat and abdicate its international leadership, along with all its tools?
According to "Mining Technology," Beijing controls 69% of the global production of rare earth element ores and 90% of the world's capacity for processing and refining them. This ongoing rivalry between the U.S. and China has created an urgent need for the former to secure these resources to cover the shortfall in its military industries. On the other hand, China needs the U.S. market to export its goods, as well as American expertise in the technology and design of microchips, which is dominated by companies in Washington. Chinese factories still rely on systems and technologies from Washington and Amsterdam. For instance, Beijing has attempted to acquire these technologies from Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography, considered the most important Dutch company in the world for manufacturing electronic chip machinery. Amsterdam, in turn, has faced significant pressures from Washington not to export those technologies.
Therefore, we arrive at the point when, in theory, the two sides need each other; however, in practice, China is actively seeking to acquire these micro technologies for manufacturing electronic chips. This can only be achieved in one of three ways: first, obtaining the technology from the Netherlands; second, gaining control of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's factories in Taiwan, which produce the world's most advanced chips; third, developing a domestic system, which would require years to achieve.
However, a legitimate question arises: If China were to acquire these advanced and cutting-edge technologies, would our world become more stable? And would the U.S. accept defeat and abdicate its international leadership, along with all its tools?
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