Why are rare earth minerals considered critical to global economic and strategic interests, according to the news?

Rare earth minerals are considered critical because they are 'essential for modern technology, green energy, and defense', which drives 'intense competition and strategic maneuvers among nations'. The article explicitly links their importance to high-stakes sectors—technology, clean energy transition, and national security—making them foundational to both economic competitiveness and geopolitical leverage.

What role does China play in the global rare earth supply chain, and how are Western countries responding?

China 'dominates the supply chain', causing 'concerns about price volatility and supply security'; in response, 'Western countries [are] developing their own critical mineral strategies and invest[ing] in domestic production and recycling technologies'. This dual dynamic—Chinese dominance as a risk catalyst and Western strategic investment as a countermeasure—is presented as the central geopolitical and industrial response outlined in the article.