美国加快本土稀土开采和冶炼审批进度，确保稀土供应安全。

U.S. to Ensure Rare-Earth Supply Amid Trade War With China (1)

Commerce report recommends faster permitting, U.S. exploration

China accounts for 70% of global production of rare earths

By?Andrew Mayeda

(Bloomberg) –?

The U.S. will take steps to ensure it doesn’t get cut off from the supply of rare earths used in everything from the production of computer screens to missile systems and mobile phones, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said.

The Commerce Department on Tuesday released a report requested by President?Donald Trump?in December 2017, when he asked officials to look into U.S. access to so-called rare earths, a group of 17 elements including lanthanum and terbium.

“These critical minerals are often overlooked but modern life without them would be impossible,” Ross said in a statement. “Through the recommendations detailed in this report, the federal government will take unprecedented action to ensure that the United States will not be cut off from these vital materials.”

Beijing has?readied?a plan to restrict exports of rare earths to the U.S. if the trade war between the two nations deepens, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News last month.

Supply Shocks

The?report?acknowledged the potential danger to the U.S. of being shut out of foreign supplies of rare earths. “The United States is heavily dependent on critical mineral imports,” according to the report. “If China or Russia were to stop exports to the United States and its allies for a prolonged