The article argues that the US didn't simply lose its rare earth industry to competitors—it actively sold off the infrastructure and expertise, making it a deliberate policy choice rather than an accident. It examines the historical decisions and political economy behind the decline, challenging the common narrative of passive industrial erosion.
Background
China currently dominates global rare earth processing, controlling roughly 60% of mining and over 85% of refining capacity. The US had a major rare earth producer at Mountain Pass until it declined in the 1990s-2000s.
- Source
- Hacker News (RSS)
- Published
- Oct 15, 2026 at 01:50 AM
- Score
- 6.0 / 10