China, with its unrivaled share in the rare earth elements production & processing, has created a new lever to pressure the Western countries. These vital materials, which are widely used in the manufacture of batteries, electric motors, smartphones, and military equipment, have now become Beijing’s geopolitical weapon.

China is controlling round about 60 to 70 percent of global rare earth production and nearly 90 percent of processing capacity. Beijing’s recent export restrictions, following the escalation of the tariff war with the United States, quickly took effect, even forcing companies like Ford to temporarily shut down some factories.

Experts warn that Europe and the United States will remain under the shadow of this dependence for years due to neglecting the development of alternative supply chains and the high costs of domestic production. Analysts believe that breaking China’s monopoly may take decades, and until then, Western industries will face serious challenges and the risk of paralysis.