The US consumes very little rare earth. We buy a lot of imported...

The US consumes very little rare earth. We buy a lot of imported products with rare earth components. In 2022, the apparent consumption of rare earths in the United States amounted to an estimated 9,300 metric tons. That's about 3% of the global production of 300K tons -- a considerable decrease in comparison to the peak consumption of 15,000 metric tons recorded in 2010 and 2012.

The US has limited ability to ban or tax imports of products with rare earths sourced in unfriendly countries. Such restrictions violate free-trade agreements with favored partners. But it can subsidize enough production from Mountain Pass to support domestic processing for national defense needs. And, that is already being done.

Selling US-sourced rare earths to Japan is carrying coals to Newcastle. They need China, and the Chinese need the Japanese market.