5. The Rare Earth Reckoning: How China Won the Supply Chain War

In this episode, I speak with David Abraham, author of The Elements of Power, about the enduring vulnerabilities in Western supply chains for rare earth elements and magnets, which are used in electric vehicles and wind turbines. Nearly a decade after his book warned of the consequences of China’s control over these resources, Abraham reflects on how little has changed — and why.We explore how China’s state-led strategy outmaneuvered market-driven Western approaches, why Japan doubled down on China even after a supply shock, and what lessons the U.S. and Europe must learn if they hope to build resilient supply chains. From the US policy during the Second World War to today’s EV and clean tech ambitions, this conversation unpacks the economic, geopolitical, and industrial stakes of the rare earth race.SOURCES:The Elements of Power: Gadgets, Guns, and the Struggle for a Sustainable Future in the Rare Metal Age