US Bets $50M on South African Rare Earths as China's Supply Grip Tightens

Geopolitics | Washington is treating mineral access as strategic infrastructure, even when diplomacy with Pretoria is strained

DefenseHub · Monday · Geopolitics · May 04, 2026

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Washington's $50 million bet on South African rare earths is not just a mining investment. It is a test of whether the United States can loosen China's grip on critical mineral processing while managing a difficult relationship with Pretoria. The strategic signal is clear: supply-chain resilience is now im…