A Defense Department spokesman told Reuters Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Defense has briefed Congress on a rare earth mineral report in an attempt to reduce U.S. dependence on China's rare earth supply. Washington is increasingly concerned about China's role as a supplier of rare earths.
"The Department of Defense will continue to work closely with the President, Congress and industrial bases to reduce U.S. dependence on China's rare earth mines," said Lieutenant Colonel Mike Andrews, a spokesman for the Department of Defense.
Andrews said that the Ministry of Defense recently completed a report on rare earth mine III of the Defense Production Act and briefed Congress on the report.
Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the China Global Times, said Tuesday that China was "seriously considering" restrictions on rare earth exports to the United States.
The escalating tensions between the United States and China have raised concerns that Beijing may use its dominant position in rare earth supply as an important bargaining chip in the trade war between the two countries.
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