Ten Minutes On... Rare Earths, China and the Global Supply Squeeze

Last Thursday, the United States and China reached a new trade agreement, lifting export restrictions on rare earth materials. In this episode of Ten Minutes On..., host Guy Burton takes a step back from the immediate headlines to explore the broader landscape of the rare earths market.

Rather than a narrow news recap, this episode offers a wider perspective on the geopolitical, economic, and environmental forces shaping global access to these critical materials. From China’s long-standing dominance in rare earth processing to the uneasy scramble among Western nations to diversify supply chains, the episode asks what this latest US–China agreement really means in the bigger picture—and what the future holds for rare earths in a green, tech-driven world.

Whether you're new to the topic or have followed the rare earths story for years, this is your ten-minute guide to the deeper issues behind the news.