Diversifying the U.S. Rare Earth Element Resource Base is Vital to National Security
Abstract
The world is undergoing a massive energy transition to mitigate escalating environmental destruction caused by carbon emissions from fossil fuels. The crucial resource necessary to develop these new energy forms are rare earth metals. Rare earth metals contain properties that are essential to clean energy as well as national defense technology, such as fighter jets, precision guided missiles, aircraft engines, control rods in nuclear reactors, and other applications. Countries that can harness rare earth production will lead the world in clean energy and technology into the next half century. With this energy transition emerges the growing concern that China currently has control of up to 90 percent of the world's rare earth elements and critical metals supply chain. As Beijing emerges as a growing U.S. National Security concern, the U.S. defense industry's reliance on rare earth mining, processing, and manufacturing from China exposes a significant vulnerability. This paper argues that the U.S. should strengthen its national defense by securing its rare earth supply chain, expanding the United States' domestic mining and production, and continuing to diversify the remaining sources amongst the United States' most reliable and capable allies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1209298
Entities
People
- Tyson E Erdmann
Organizations
- Naval War College