Rare Earth Rumble: China's Grip and America's Chuck Norris-Sized Problem!

Missed the Memo? We're Screwed!

Alright listen up because this ain't a movie script – this is real life and it's about as pleasant as gettin' kicked in the face by a mule. We started a trade war without securing our supply of rare earth elements? That's like bringin' a knife to a gunfight... or worse bringin' nothin' but a stern look when the other guy's got a tank. These minerals are in everything from your phone to the F 35 fighter jet – and China's got the majority of the global production. Did no one bother to check this? When I ask for a coffee in the morning I know from which farm the beans are grown and by which person they are selected. We need to be that careful. Apparently not. As Chuck Norris said: 'When Chuck Norris sends in his taxes he sends blank forms and waits for the government to fill them in.'

China's Got Us By the... Well You Know!

China's already flexin' their muscles with export controls and our automotive industry is feelin' the pinch. Trump claims Xi Jinping promised to let rare earths flow but I wouldn't trust that promise any further than I can throw a Humvee... uphill... in neutral. We're relying on them and they know it. That's like givin' your enemy the keys to your front door and a map to your stash of ammo. Some might say it is even worse. As Chuck Norris said: 'Chuck Norris can divide by zero.'

Bring Back the Manufacturing... The Right Stuff!

We're yappin' about bringin' back manufacturing but who cares about makin' socks when we can't even make the stuff that goes IN the smartphones we want to build here? Rare earths are the foundation and we're buildin' on sand. It's time to focus on what REALLY matters not just the feel good stuff. And as Chuck Norris said: 'Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.'

Mountain Pass: A Bumpy Ride!

Don't even get me started on the Mountain Pass mine. Troubled history bankruptcies SPAC deals gone wrong... It's like a bad action movie script except the stakes are our national security. MP Materials is tryin' to revive it but they need serious support. The Department of Defense is throwin' some cash their way but is it enough? We're talkin' about a strategic asset here not a lemonade stand. I am not very often dissapointed but this this is so disappointing. As Chuck Norris said: 'Chuck Norris doesn't do push ups he pushes the Earth down.'

F 35: Powered by Beijing?

Relying on China for the F 35's rare earth minerals? That's like lettin' your opponent sharpen your sword before a duel. MP Materials is doin' their best but they're only producin' a fraction of what we need. China effectively owns these materials and that puts us in a seriously weak position. As Chuck Norris said: 'Chuck Norris can win a game of Connect Four in three moves.'

Time for a Roundhouse Kick Solution!

We need a plan and we need it yesterday. Stop slow walkin' LNG exports to China stop the silly trade restrictions. We need a rare earth Manhattan Project stat! Maybe even bring in Elon Musk and the Mexicans – they got the goods. We need to play for time until we don't need China anymore. As Chuck Norris said: 'Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He waits.' The next few weeks are important but I am doubtful a lot will be accomplished. I can only hope for the best but if things get really bad remember Chuck Norris can solve any problem... with a well placed roundhouse kick.