See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Why China's ultimatum to Myanmar rebels threatens global supply of heavy rare earths

MYANMAR'S KACHIN STATE, JUL 8 – China exerts diplomatic and military pressure on Myanmar rebels to protect its control over nearly half of the world's heavy rare earth supply amid ongoing conflict in Kachin state.

  • During talks in May, Chinese officials threatened to halt rare-earth imports from KIA-controlled territory to leverage geopolitical influence amid escalating conflict in Myanmar.
  • Last October, the Kachin Independence Army seized the main rare-earth belt, triggering the battle for Bhamo and intensifying conflicts over mineral control.
  • Chinese customs data shows nearly half of global heavy rare-earths originate in Kachin, with a 50% import decline in five months, risking supply shortages.
  • The ongoing conflict has disrupted mining and caused exports to plunge this year, as China pressures rebels to compromise amid escalating regional tensions.
  • Experts warn that a prolonged disruption in Myanmar's Kachin heavy rare-earth supply could cause a global shortage by year's end, impacting EVs and wind turbines, due to near half of the world's supply originating there.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?

12 Articles

All
Left
2
Center
3
Right
4
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 44% of the sources lean Right
44% Right
Factuality

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

U.S. News broke the news in New York, United States on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Sources are mostly out of (0)

You have read 1 out of your 5 free daily articles.

Join millions of well-informed readers who use Ground to compare coverage, check their news blindspots, and challenge their worldview.