China Rare Earth Dominance

TRADE WAR & RARE EARTH MINERALS

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are 17 vital metals used in modern technologies like electronics, renewable energy, and defense systems. Although India holds significant reserves, it depends heavily on imports—mainly from China, which dominates global production and processing. The ongoing trade tensions have highlighted India’s need for self-reliance in critical minerals. To address this, the government has launched initiatives such as the National Critical Minerals Mission, policy reforms under the MMDR Act, and incentives for refining, recycling, and magnet manufacturing. Strengthening domestic capacity, fostering international collaborations, and ensuring sustainable extraction are key to making India a global player in the rare earth sector.