Japan, the United States and the European Union
agreed Wednesday to forge technological cooperation in
overcoming the difficulties in procuring rare earth elements due to
Chinese export restrictions.
At a meeting in Tokyo held to discuss the recycling of rare earth
elements and the development of alternative resources, Japanese
industry minister Yukio Edano noted that rare earth minerals are
currently indispensable for producing high-tech products.
"With technological cooperation among Japan, the United States
and the European Union, we can build a supply chain not relying
solely on resources from a specific country," he said, alluding to
China, which accounts for about 90 percent of rare earth production
in the world.
While U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu cited the development of
magnets that would use a small amount of rare earth elements, an E.U.
official said rare earth elements could be procured not just from
China but also from other regions like Africa.
Japan, the United States and the European Union have taken a case
against China to the World Trade Organization over its export
restrictions on rare earths.
