Original title: The United States said that they are vulnerable to a shortage of rare earth in those new, clean energy technology plays a vital role in the minerals, the United States is too dependent on China, which makes it vulnerable to the U.S. economy.
Wednesday morning, U.S. Department of Energy released a detailed report to make such a warning. The report predicts that the U.S. needs 15 years to break the dependence on China supply, asked the U.S. to increase research efforts and expand diplomatic contacts to find alternative resources, and development of these minerals recycling methods. Rare earth mineral that is vital, now at least 96% of production in China. Beijing has used a variety of export control measures to limit the supply to other countries, as well as use of these minerals provide favorable conditions for Chinese companies.
The report coincided with the U.S. Department of Energy released officials will hold talks in Washington to discuss economic and business issues of the time. Although the detailed agenda for the talks has not been released, but is expected to include the United States against China to tighten control of exports of rare earths. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance announced on the website next year China plans to raise export tax some of rare earth products.
U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs David? Alessandro said the timing of the report published in the talks with the United States is a coincidence, you can report it reflects the emergence of a U.S. government point of view: In addition to the supply of rare earth in other countries, the need to development of the domestic rare earth resources in order to ensure the survival of U.S. clean energy industry.
But the report of U.S. imports from China Rare Earth on the ability of weaning is very frustrating given the assessment. Time of the next 15 years, at least 5 types of minerals have almost all from China, these minerals are subjected to the vulnerability of supply disruptions and their production of electric cars, energy-saving lamps and other clean energy technologies as high as the critical level.
In need of clean energy technology to produce rare earth, China is increasingly dominant, including millions of dollars worth of wind turbines. The demand for rare earth export controls and China in fact has forced some foreign companies to enter or re-entry into this field of study.