Fact Check: Approximately 90% of the United States' rare earth minerals are sourced from China, the world's largest producer of these materials.

Fact Check: "Approximately 90% of the United States' rare earth minerals are sourced from China, the world's largest producer of these materials."

What We Know

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemically similar elements that are crucial for various high-tech applications, including electronics, renewable energy technologies, and defense systems. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), China has maintained a dominant position in the global rare earth market, accounting for approximately 72% of U.S. imports of rare earth compounds and metals between 2019 and 2022. This figure reflects a significant reliance on Chinese sources for these critical materials.

Further corroborating this, a report by the BBC noted that the U.S. relied on China for about 70% of its imports of all rare earth compounds and metals from 2020 to 2023. Additionally, Statista and Visual Capitalist both reported similar statistics, affirming that around 70% of U.S. rare earth imports come from China.

Analysis

The claim that approximately 90% of the United States' rare earth minerals are sourced from China is slightly overstated but not entirely unfounded. While the USGS data indicates that China is the predominant supplier, the specific percentage cited in the claim (90%) does not align perfectly with the available data, which consistently shows a reliance of about 70% to 72% on Chinese imports.

However, it is essential to recognize that China's influence extends beyond just the volume of imports. China not only supplies a significant portion of rare earths but also dominates the processing of these materials. Reports indicate that China controls approximately 85% of the processing capacity for rare earth elements globally, which is a critical step in the supply chain that adds to its leverage in the market (Institute for Energy Research, CSIS).

The reliability of the sources cited is high, as they include reputable organizations such as the USGS and established news outlets like the BBC. The consistency across multiple sources strengthens the credibility of the data presented.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
While the claim that "approximately 90% of the United States' rare earth minerals are sourced from China" is not entirely accurate, it is grounded in a significant truth: the U.S. is heavily reliant on China for its rare earth supply, with estimates showing around 70% to 72% of imports originating from there. The critical point is that China's dominance in both the supply and processing of rare earth elements underscores the strategic importance of these materials in global trade and technology.

Sources

1. Rare earths - Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024 - USGS.gov
2. Why China curbing rare earth exports is a blow to the US
3. The U.S. Relies Heavily on Rare Earth Imports From China
4. Charted: Where the U.S. Gets Its Rare Earths From
5. China Imposes Export Controls on Rare Earth Minerals
6. Top 10 Countries by Rare Earth Metal Production | INN
7. The Consequences of China's New Rare Earths Export Restrictions
8. U.S. Begins Forging Rare Earth Supply Chain