> why is it so assumed that only China can produce rare earths

You want carcinogens in you water supply, and a whole NYT expose about it? That's why. Mining and processing is VERY VERY VERY dirty.

Countries like China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India are choosing the accept the externalities and/or make deals with shady partners if needed.

Add to that spamoflauge campaigns lead by nation state competitors trying to stoke opposition to these projects [0], and it becomes hard.

[0] - https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/dra...

Edit: can't reply, so replying here.

> mines many elements domestically, so why the sudden environmental concern specifically with rare earths

Optics mostly, along with a healthy dose of social media disinfo [0]. Processing is also a pain in the butt and causes severe externalities.

> while the US relied on market forces to handle supply chains.

Pretty much, but private sector firms are also worried/hemmed by the implications of litigation.

The recognition that the status quo is unstable arose after China weaponized exports to Japan during the Senkaku Diaoyu crisis (it was one of the first things I worked on in my short stint in policy), but "industrial policy" was a dark word you could never utter on the hill until the last 3-4 years.

Also, 13-15 years ago, China wasn't really viewed as a threat the same way it is today. Russia was viewed as the primary peer state competitor to the US back then. I yelled hoarse warning the people I reported to that we needed to deep dive into Chinese institutions back then, but no one listened.

The US mines many elements domestically, so why the sudden environmental concern specifically with rare earths?

Is there evidence that China’s rare earth mining creates more environmental damage than US coal, gold, or other domestic mining operations?

The real issue seems to be strategic: China made rare earth supply security a policy priority, while the US relied on market forces to handle supply chains.

I like nature and care about the environment. I care about my fellow man, I want them to be able to work a safe job with good pay and have the ability to provide for their family.

With that being the case, how can I in good conscious take a position that would lead to mining and manufacturing being done in any country that is not enforcing environmental and safety regulations? In any country that is not paying a living wage?

So yes, I want mining and processing done here. I want the manufacturing jobs here. We want clean air and clean water, we have to pay for it.

Curious why this is downvoted, as this matches my understanding. We have strong (ish) environmental and worker protections in the US that other countries don't have.

These are good things, but they make it a lot more expensive to do this stuff domestically.

Mining and processing is very dirty.