China May Lose Rare Earth Monopoly (legal, military, companies, economy)

[legalsea]

As we know, China controls the vast majority of the 'rare earth' elements on this Earth. As such, many companies have to 'play nice' with China in order to have access to these rare earth elements.

Until now:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/16/asia/...rnd/index.html


An island owned by Japan turns out to have a huge supply of rare earth elements. From the article:


"Rare earth minerals contain rare earth elements that are used in high-tech devices like smartphones, missile systems, radar devices and hybrid vehicles. For instance, yttrium, one of the metals included in this recent discovery, can be used to make camera lenses, superconductors and cell phone screens."


And:

"The 16 million tons of materials could contain 780 years worth of yttrium, 620 years worth of europium, 420 years worth of terbium, and 730 years worth of dysprosium. In other words, according to the paper, it "has the potential to supply these materials on a semi-infinite basis to the world."


Of course, China may decide that it would be best to simply take over the little island. Wars have begun over smaller matters.

[antinimby]

China is becoming that all powerful and scary mob boss that is gradually consolidating power. Even more reason why it is important for us to support and strengthen our military. Without us, there’d be no other superpower to keep China in check should they get out of hand. Keeping our military strong doesn’t mean war. Trump is right. Peace through strength.

[kimchee]

Good for Japan! And great that the island isn't part of the South China Seas or we may just have a war on our hands over that island. Let's hope China doesn't pounce and make a play for it like they did the Senkaku islands.

[legalsea]

Originally Posted by antinimby

China is becoming that all powerful and scary mob boss that is gradually consolidating power. Even more reason why it is important for us to support and strengthen our military. Without us, there’d be no other superpower to keep China in check should they get out of hand. Keeping our military strong doesn’t mean war. Trump is right. Peace through strength.

So, if China moved, based presumably on flimsy legal reasoning, to take over the Island of Gems, you would be in favor of the United States interfering to prevent that from happening?


Hmmm. I shall have to think about that. While it would be good for Japan (a nation so far friendly to us) to have Rare Earth elements for us to buy, I'm not so sure about our getting involved in a spat between China and Japan.


Of course, China may not do anything. Yet, they are certainly causing some ruckus in the South China Sea, with their setting international boundaries not recognized by the other countries involved.


As it is, this Island of Gems appears very isolated, and far from Japan.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by antinimby

China is becoming that all powerful and scary mob boss that is gradually consolidating power. Even more reason why it is important for us to support and strengthen our military. Without us, there’d be no other superpower to keep China in check should they get out of hand. Keeping our military strong doesn’t mean war. Trump is right. Peace through strength.

It shouldn't mean throwing MORE! MORE! MORE! $$$ at it year after year after year with no accountability either.

[The Dark Enlightenment]

Originally Posted by legalsea

Of course, China may decide that it would be best to simply take over the little island. Wars have begun over smaller matters.

That would be no small matter and would certainly result in war.

[The Dark Enlightenment]

Originally Posted by legalsea

So, if China moved, based presumably on flimsy legal reasoning, to take over the Island of Gems, you would be in favor of the United States interfering to prevent that from happening?

If it's half as valuable as claimed then yes, that would be a rare instance of the military being employed for a genuinely useful purpose. The U.S. actually has a decent claim to the island itself. China has none.

[Freak80]

We have been making China stronger every day since 2001, when China joined the WTO.

It would seem kind of silly to put our (mostly ineffective) military in China’s way, and possibly start a war.

If China is our rival, then we shouldn’t be trading with them and giving them our factories and technology.

[phma]

That's a nice find. I'll drink to that. Here's mud in your eye China.

[BruSan]

Be careful what you wish for as the extraction of rare earth material uses massive amounts of acids and water which you then have to get rid of somehow.

China opted to create "acid ponds" retention and did so within spitting distance of the Yellow River, the drinking water source for millions of people. Now they're concerned and realize their folly.

Take a lesson.