The measures would likely focus on heavy rare-earth elements, a sub-group of the materials where the US is particularly reliant on China. China produces about 80 percent of the world’s rare earths and an even higher proportion of the elements in their processed forms. Heavy rare-earth elements include dysprosium, used in magnets commonplace in almost all cars and many consumer goods. Heavy rare earths are less common, and important for lasers, sonar and strengthening steel, among other uses. For heavy rare earths, “China definitely dominates supplies and if China abandons those exports, I don’t think the US can find alternatives,” Hu said.

Source: Taipei Times May 31, 2019 15:56 UTC