Countries are racing to mine rare earths within one year, before China’s export restrictions kick in. In October 2025, China announced restrictions on rare earth exports, and also on the technology used to process them. The move set off panic amongst US automakers and defense manufacturers.

China agreed to pause these restrictions for a year after the Trump-Xi meeting, but the vulnerability remains. The US had inked rare earth deals with Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Thailand amongst others. Europe and the G7 have also announced rare earth industrial plans. But can they complete mine to magnet operations in just one year? With billions pouring into rare earths in the months ahead, is China at risk of losing its grip on the rare earths industry?

WATCH MORE When Titans Clash

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkMf14VQEvTbTGw6gbmIHoWz4nmolfkpU

00:00 US panics as China cuts off rare earth supplies

03:15 What are rare earths?

04:17 How Japan reduced its dependence

12:44 Japanese lessons for EU and US

14:53 Malaysia’s rare earth plans

21:14 Impact of rare earth mining

24:09 Vietnam’s rare earth plans

25:33 Australia’s rare earth plans

28:19 Myanmar’s rare earths' links with civil war

31:19 Myanmar’s environmental disaster

33:48 Kachin state rare earth battle

37:16 Why China dominates in rare earths

42:36 Obama flagged rare earth dependence

44:06 EU's rare earth plans

44:39 Will China lose its grip on rare earths?

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