China’s Rare Earth Monopoly: A Looming Supply Chain Crisis? [Podcast]

In today’s episode, Adrian is joined by our CEO, Renaud, to discuss the growing tension between the US and China over rare earth magnets and how China’s stranglehold on these materials is starting to squeeze global manufacturers.

From electronics to EVs and even military hardware, rare earth magnets, such as neodymium, are critical components. With China controlling over 90% of refining, recent export restrictions are becoming a powerful geopolitical lever.

We’ll explore how this trade standoff has developed, what rare earth magnets are used for, and most importantly, what manufacturers, startups, and scale-ups can do as the supply chain grows more unstable.

Listen here

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Show sections

• 00:00 – Intro: Rare Earths and the New Supply Chain Threat
• 00:52 – Why Rare Earth Magnets Matter for Electronics and Military Products
• 02:57 – China’s Dominance in Refining: How It Happened
• 05:44 – Made in China 2025 and Strategic Mineral Control
• 08:43 – Trade Tensions, Tariffs, and Semiconductor Export Bans
• 13:35 – China’s Retaliation: Export Restrictions on Rare Earth Magnets
• 15:20 – Impacts on Automakers and Supply Chain Instability
• 16:45 – Options for Manufacturers: Stockpiling, Redesign, and Buying Assemblies
• 19:45 – Can You Avoid China’s Grip? The Harsh Reality for SMEs
• 23:00 – Final Thoughts

Related content

• Exclusive: US-China trade truce leaves military-use rare earth issue unresolved | Reuters
• China’s rare earth magnet shipments halve in May due to export curbs | Reuters
• JLR-owner Tata Motors says no panic on rare earth curbs, EV launches on track | Reuters
• Tech Companies Depend on China for Rare Earths. Can That Change? | WSJ
• Why China’s control of rare earths matters | FT

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