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Did You Know...

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are the "atomic vitamins" of the 21st century. While they aren't actually that "rare"—Cerium is as abundant as Copper—they are incredibly difficult to find in concentrated, mineable deposits. As of May 11, 2026, they have become the most significant leverage point in the "Great Powers Era 2.0" trade war:

• The 17 Siblings: The "Rare Earths" are a group of 17 elements (the 15 lanthanides plus Scandium and Yttrium). They are so chemically similar that they are almost impossible to tell apart, often described as "geological twins." Separating them requires a brutal, multi-stage chemical "laundry" process that, until very recently, was almost exclusively performed in China.

• The 90% Chokepoint: In 2024, China refined nearly 90% of the world's rare earths. However, in 2026, the landscape is shifting. Under the U.S. "Project Vault" and Canada’s "Critical Minerals Strategy," billions of dollars are being poured into "Non-China" supply chains. Brazil and Vietnam have also emerged as major 2026 power players, refusing to pick sides while demanding that processing plants be built on their own soil.

• The Miniature Miracle: Rare earths are the reason your smartphone isn't the size of a suitcase. Their unique magnetic and luminescent properties allow engineers to miniaturize components to an extreme degree. For example, it takes roughly 300 kilograms of Neodymium to make the magnet for just one offshore wind turbine, but only a fraction of a gram to make your phone vibrate.

• The 2026 Market Surge: As of May 2026, the global REE market is projected to grow to over $6.8 billion this year. While "Light" rare earths like Lanthanum are in surplus, "Heavy" rare earths like Terbium and Dysprosium are seeing massive price spikes due to their role in the next generation of AI data centers and stealth defense tech.

[Image showing the 17 Rare Earth Elements highlighted on the Periodic Table]

In fact, while the world is racing to find "Rare Earth-free" motors to avoid supply shocks, most 2026 technologies—from MRI machines to F-35 fighter jets—simply cannot function without them. They are the invisible glue holding the high-tech world together.