Rare Earth Elements: A Wrench in the Supply Chain?

The Center for Strategic and International Studies has released a research report regarding rare earth elements and their use in the supply chain.

On 23rd September 2010, exports of rare earth elements (REEs) from China to Japan apparently stopped due to a dispute over maritime boundaries. This use of economic leverage to influence policy raised concerns about the impact of China’s strategic hold on these precious metals. REEs have long been considered the “enhancers” of global products and are used to manufacture defense and commercial high-technology items.

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