Tensions surrounding Taiwan are raising concerns about China’s potential use of rare earth elements as a tool for economic pressure. Following Japan’s declaration that it would not remain neutral if conflict broke out in Taiwan, Beijing has tightened export controls on several heavy rare earth elements, including dysprosium and terbium. Japan is seen as a test case for the resilience of industries dependent on this supply. If US-China tensions escalate and Beijing cuts off the supply of rare earth minerals to the US, the impact could spread from the defense sector to the production of automobiles, robotics, industrial machinery, and…