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Message Claims U.S. Rare Earth Stockpile Lasts Only Two Months; China's Negotiating Leverage +1As the U.S. continues its military operations against Iran, speculation is rife about the potential depletion of American ammunition supplies.The South China Morning Post reports that due to the heavy reliance of U.S. advanced weapons on Chinese rare earth supplies, China's dominant position in this sector could provide new negotiating leverage in its strategic rivalry with the United States, potentially indirectly influencing the duration of U.S. military actions against Iran to some extent.Multiple sources reveal that the U.S. currently has rare earth stockpiles sufficient for only about two months, an issue likely to dominate bilateral talks during Trump's upcoming visit to China. Meanwhile, Beijing appears less urgent than Washington in pushing for a deal.Zhang Yue, Associate Professor at the Australia-China Relations Institute of the University of Technology Sydney, stated that the U.S. dependence on Chinese rare earths will provide China with "significant indirect leverage," thereby influencing the duration and cost of potential conflicts. Rare earth elements, particularly heavy rare earths like dysprosium and terbium, are widely used in manufacturing high-performance permanent magnets, radar systems, missile guidance components, and critical propulsion systems for advanced weapons. She pointed out that this dependency could alter the strategic balance between China and the U.S., leaving Washington exposed to a form of "asymmetric vulnerability." China's dominance in the rare earth supply chain not only turns into tangible bargaining chips during negotiations but could also enhance its influence over the U.S. in broader geopolitical competition.
