The Guardian's editorial argues that the world's over-reliance on China for rare earth minerals is unsustainable, and that Europe cannot assume the United States will provide a reliable alternative. It notes that a warning sign came 16 years ago when China restricted rare-earth exports to Japan, yet little changed until Beijing again used export curbs as leverage against Donald Trump's trade war last year, triggering a global scramble for alternative supplies ahead of a truce expiring in November.

China still controls roughly 70% of global rare-earth mining and 90% of processing, and prices of elements such as erbium are already rising on fears of renewed export controls. The US has responded with major investment, including the Pentagon becoming the largest shareholder in MP Minerals and a $12bn critical minerals reserve plan, while both Washington and Beijing pursue new sources in South Africa, Greenland and Brazil, raising environmental concerns. The editorial concludes that Europe, wary of an unpredictable Trump administration, needs its own stockpiles, investment and alliances, noting France already hosts the largest rare-earth processing plant outside China, though progress across Europe remains too slow.