Rare Earth Elements
China has often seen its attitude sitting on the treasury of the world’s biggest rare meaning elements. Now Dragon has made a sensational charge without naming any country that foreign detectives are plotting to steal this precious property. The Chinese intelligence agency has claimed that foreign forces and their agents together are smuggling rare meanings, which is a big threat to their national security. But the question is whether this is the new trick of China, or is there a deep conspiracy hidden behind it? After all, whom is the dragon targeting?
What are Rare Earth Elements?
Rare Earth Elements are 17 minerals, which are found in very small amounts in nature. His name may be “rare”, but his importance is uncontrollable in today’s technology world. They are used in smartphones, laptops, electric cars, solar panels, and even defense systems. Names like Lanthanem, Serium, Neodimium may seem strange to hear, but these are the magical elements that are running the modern world.
China is the largest producer of these minerals. More than 60% of the world’s rare meaning elements come from here. And this is the reason why Beijing considers it the biggest weapon of its strength. But now he has accused that some foreign forces are trying to steal these minerals. The Chinese Safety Ministry said in a post on its WeChat account, “Foreign detectives and their agents are robbing our rare meaning treasures in illegal ways. This is a threat to our national security.”
After all, what is China’s plan?
This charge of China has come at a time when it is entangled in a trade war with America. In April 2025, Trump imposed 145% tariff on China, in response to which China imposed 125% tariff on the US. However, the trade deal in Geneva was later agreed and the two countries announced a 115% reduction in tariffs. But after this, China made many such rules regarding rare meaning, which caused a stir in the whole world. Because without rare meaning, neither electric vehicles can be built, nor smart devices, nor defense systems. In such a situation, the violation of theft has now been considered a trick of China somewhere.
Experts say that this charge can be just an excuse. China probably wants to show its strength on this excuse. He wants to give the message to the world that rare meaning elements are in his possession and whoever messes with him will have to bear the brunt of it.
Is China targeting America?
There is no new thing between China and America. Both countries are standing against each other regarding trade war, tariffs, and technology. Rare Earth Elements have become the biggest weapon of this war. Countries like America and Europe depend on China for these minerals. But now China has broken the back of these countries by banning exports.
For example, the Ford Motor Company had to cut the production of its electric vehicles due to this ban and not only Ford, but many other automobile companies have also suffered a setback. Rare Earth Elements are required to make magnets used in electric vehicles. And when these minerals are not found, how will production happen?
This step of China may be a strategy to respond to America, but the question is, is it really catching foreign detectives? The Chinese intelligence agency has claimed that it thwarted the attempt to smuggle rare meaning but how true is this claim without evidence and name of any country? Is this just an attempt to divert the attention of the world, so that China can prepare for its next step?
India also ready for rare meaning
This news is also important for India. Our country is also very dependent on China for rare meaning elements. These minerals are required in sectors like smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. If China makes its exports even more strict, then it can also have an impact on India’s industry.
The Government of India is already working in this direction. Efforts are going on to discover and promote mining of rare meanings elements in the country. But our dependence is still very high on China. In such a situation, this new charge of China and its policies can also become a cause of concern for India.