Why So Serious About Rare Earths China's Got a Monopoly and We're All Just Playing Their Game!

A Little Birdie Told Me...

So China’s playing hardball with these 'rare earths,' huh? Seems like everyone’s in a tizzy. They dangle a few export licenses like shiny pennies and suddenly the world thinks they're being generous! Ha! It's all part of the act see? "Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order and everything becomes chaos. I'm an agent of chaos."

Sixty Percent? Ninety Percent? Why Not One Hundred?

Sixty percent production almost ninety percent processing? Child’s play! Why not just own the whole shebang? Europe twiddling its thumbs America just dipping its toes… pathetic! It's like they're begging for it! Begging for the punchline! "Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I’m a dog chasing cars. I wouldn’t know what to do with one if I caught it!" But China oh they know EXACTLY what to do.

The Art of the Deal (Or the Art of the Squeeze)

Trade talks tariff reprieves… all just window dressing. China pretends to play nice then tightens the screws. It's not about the money; it's about sending a message. A message that says "We're in control you puppets! Dance! Dance for our amusement!" Remember "It's not about the money. It's about sending a message. Everything burns!"

Recycling's a Joke!

Recycling rare earths? Oh that’s precious! Like trying to put out a bonfire with a squirt gun! They think they're escaping China's grip? Bless their little hearts. It's a distraction a sideshow. The main event is China pulling the strings. They think they can solve this? "Why so serious?"

Permanent Restrictions or Permanent Leverage?

Permanent licensing regime they say. Sounds fancy doesn't it? What it really means is: China's got them by the short and curlies. They can turn the tap on or off whenever they feel like it. No one's stockpiling anything without the dragon's permission. It's a beautiful beautiful thing! "This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object."

Playing the Long Game: Checkmate!

Alternatives substitutes re export solutions… lots of big words for a little problem or rather one HUGE Chinese shaped problem. Automakers scrambling to ditch rare earths? Cute! They're just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. China's already cornered the graphite lithium and cobalt markets and by then those rare earths will be the least of their problems. The punchline is coming folks and it will be glorious.