Reads like a set up from the Bush / Clinton era to make us dependent on the Chinese for these items.
Wonder if the Trump's restoration of mining industry was in preparation for this? Wonder who owns this mine?
Turns out we have a lot of rare earth minerals, but no one could make a go of mining or processing them. We will need them now if China cuts us off. Unfortunately, China owns the company that owns our rare earth minerals for some period of time that is hidden behind a paywall.
http:// theweek.com/articles/765276/how-china-win-trade-war-1-move
https:// www.wsj.com/articles/jhl-qvt-shenghe-win-mountain-pass-mine-auction-1497479594