3 ms·

I think it’s a bit like TMSC and bringing back chip manufacturing. Sounds easy in theory till you go to do it. My cursory understanding of why we don’t process

• usef- 1y ago
  Yes, though money is still a big part of it. An Australian company (Lynas) developed the capability but was struggling to get investment largely because they couldn't produce them as cheaply as China's scale/subsidies/etc could. When Japan was temporarily cut off from rare earths they became an investor (willing to pay more to reduce single-vendor risks), but apparently it was hard to get the US at the time to care enough. At least that's the story that was floating around.
  • hilbert42 1y ago
    "…as cheaply as China's scale/subsidies/etc could." Not an issue if China blockades sales. There are strategic and security issues so governments should also mandate production.
    • cutemonster 1y ago
      ... if they are reasonably bright and are thinking reasonably far ahead, and care about their country