Rare earths are a key source of foreign currency for China, currency is presently needs to import all manner of products globally. But China is hard at work try

Rare earths are a key source of foreign currency for China, currency is presently needs to import all manner of products globally. But China is hard at work trying to make the RMB a global currency - most recently through a gold/oil/RMB market. So, understand that once the RMB ascends to a status similar to the EUR or USD you will rare earth prices skyrocket and patents enforced.