The Digital Revolution with Jim Kunkle

Rare Earths, China Tariffs, Digital Tug-of-War


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Rare earths are the silent backbone of the digital age, and the numbers behind their global control and demand tell a story of strategic urgency and economic fragility.

Welcome to this bonus episode of, The Digital Revolution with Jim Kunkle, on this episode we’re going to talk about the high-stakes tug-of-war over rare earth minerals, and a battle shaping the future of technology, energy, and geopolitical influence. As of 2025, China controls nearly 90% of global rare earth refining capacity, including a near-monopoly on heavy rare earth elements like dysprosium and terbium, which are essential for high-performance magnets used in Electric Vehicle motors, wind turbines, and defense systems. This dominance is not just about mining: China’s vertically integrated supply chain spans from raw extraction to finished Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets, producing over 300,000 tonnes annually, while the U.S. is targeting just 1,000 tonnes. That disparity is more than a statistic, it’s a strategic vulnerability.

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The Digital Revolution with Jim KunkleBy Jim Kunkle