In 2026, a little-known group of minerals has replaced oil as the most powerful lever in the global economy.
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For decades, oil shaped geopolitics. Today, rare earth elements power electric vehicles, missiles, wind turbines, and advanced electronics.
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On January 6, 2026, China tightened export controls on dual-use items bound for Japan, reshaping global supply chains overnight.
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Dysprosium and terbium are essential for high-performance magnets used in EV motors, wind turbines, and defence systems.
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China controls around 90–95% of global rare earth processing and nearly all heavy rare earth refining.
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Investors rushed for non-Chinese supply. Lynas Rare Earths surged over 14% in a single trading session.
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Japan is turning to the ocean floor, testing deep-sea mining near Minami Torishima to secure long-term rare earth supply.
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The US is shielding domestic producers with long-term defense contracts and price floors to reduce dependence on foreign supply.
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India is betting on innovation, targeting 1,000 mineral-related patents by 2030 through unconventional extraction methods.
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Global manufacturing is dividing into two systems: efficiency-driven and security-driven supply networks.
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Companies are abandoning just-in-time models in favor of stockpiling, long-term contracts, and upstream investments.
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Rare earths are no longer just a trade issue. They are now a core national security priority shaping the global economy.
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