Clinton to press China on rare-earth stance, seeks supply diversity

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: The Hill

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will seek a clearer picture from China about its exports of rare earth minerals that are vital to several low-carbon energy technologies.

Clinton indicated in Honolulu that she will “press China this week to clarify its policy on the exports of rare earth minerals amid fears Beijing could use them as a political weapon,” The Wall Street Journal reports.

“Mrs. Clinton, en route to Asia for a key regional summit, stressed following a meeting with her Japanese counterpart in Hawaii that recent Chinese restrictions on sales of the important commercial inputs must serve as a ‘wake-up call’ for the U.S. and its allies to diversify their sourcing,” the article says about her remarks late Wednesday.

China, which dominates global supply of the materials that are used in various industries, has restricted exports to Japan. There have also been conflicting reports about potential cutbacks in exports to Europe and the U.S., prompting concern on Capitol Hill.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/126221-clinton-to-press-china-on-rare-earth-stance-seeks-supply-diversity?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[DCKit]

1. The obvious reason is to keep the entire manufacturing process, from ore to finished product...

inside China.

It just makes sense.

[hughee99]

2. Nice, "rare earth minerals" can be the new "oil".

We can trade our dependence on foreign oil for our dependence on foreign rare-earth minerals.

[groundloop]

3. I didn't realize China was into Rare Earth, but I Just Want to Celebrate

Oh, nevermind. You just had to be there (the 70's).