US Firms Are Snapping Up the Rare Earths Europe Needs to Rearm

As Europe embarks on a historic rearming effort, its defense companies are scrambling for a vital component in high-tech weapons: rare earth minerals, which more nimble US rivals are scooping up.

Despite a one-year rare earths trade war truce between the US and China, Beijing maintains tight controls on supplies and prohibits sales to companies that produce weapons.