The heavy dependence of vital Western alliance countries on China poses a 'dangerously exposed' problem.

The Five Eyes intelligence partnership - consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand - is heavily dependent on China for rare earth elements (REEs), which are essential for the mineral supply chain market.

The Five Eyes alliance has become a vital component of international intelligence and security operations. The alliance works together on intelligence issues and exchanges confidential information to maintain collective security and counter global threats.

The report highlights that Western military supply chains are at risk due to China's decision to restrict exports of rare earth elements, which are essential for producing military equipment.

The report "Decreasing Rare Earths Dependency: How the Five Eyes Alliance can Minimize Rare Earths Trading Risk with China" suggests that the Five Eyes countries should reduce their reliance on China for their supply of REEs by diversifying their sources.

The U.S. was a significant player in the rare earth elements market but now heavily relies on China for 80% of its REE imports, as per the report.

China poses a threat to the Five Eyes countries' supply of rare earth minerals, as they are all heavily dependent on China for this critical resource, according to Helena Ivanov, an associate fellow at the Henry Jackson Society and author of the report, who spoke to Planet Chronicle Digital.

The report emphasizes that rare earth elements are utilized in defense technologies such as fighter jets and that China's control of the industry can be exploited politically, allowing it to exert its influence on the global stage.

The House Select Committee on the CCP stated that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is using its markets, technology, and control over critical minerals to exert pressure on the United States and its allies and partners. To combat these predatory practices, the United States must strengthen its collaboration with allies and partners in trade and technology while reducing its reliance on the PRC in critical supply chains.

Almost 90% of processing in the market is done by China, which accounts for 60% of global production in the industry's supply chain.

Rare earth elements are not only essential for military technology but also crucial in the production of smartphones, digital cameras, computer hard drives, fluorescent and LED lights, flat-screen TVs, computer monitors, and electronic displays.

"In the event of war, China could cut off the supply of critical minerals to the U.S. and deplete the U.S.'s stock of minerals necessary for its defense apparatus in less than 90 days, according to a report by North American producers of critical minerals."

In 2023, Admiral John Aquilino, head of the Indo-Pacific Command, stated before the House Armed Services Committee that China will achieve President Xi's objective of being prepared to invade Taiwan by 2027. The committee expressed concern over the group's over-reliance on an adversarial China due to the recent tensions over Taiwan.

In 2023, China considered restricting the export of rare earth minerals that are essential for the production of the F-35 fighter jets and other military equipment.

The US is concerned about China's market dominance and has taken steps to reduce its reliance on Beijing. The Department of Defense and other agencies are developing programs to strengthen the domestic supply chain of REEs. In April, the Department of Energy announced $17.5 million as part of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support four projects aimed at lowering the cost and minimizing the environmental impact of extracting REEs.

Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of Energy, stated that the investments would enhance national security while revitalizing America's manufacturing sector and rejuvenating energy and mining communities nationwide.

The report emphasizes the significance of reducing dependence on China for the Western alliance, as highlighted vulnerabilities may lead to a situation similar to Europe's past dependence on Russian gas before the invasion of Ukraine.

The only solution to this predicament, according to the report, is through cooperation among the Five Eyes Alliance members, including Canada, Australia, and the U.S., by increasing domestic production and reducing China's market influence.

The report stated that China has become a bad faith actor in recent years, and there are significant problems and dangers associated with relying on China for rare earth elements.