Apple has signed an agreement with MP Materials, a US mining company, to ensure the supply of magnets made of rare earths over the next few years. The company, led by Tim Cook, will invest 500 million dollars in this enterprise to eliminate its current dependence on rare earths from China. However, the supply of rare earth magnets from American sources is not expected to commence until 2027.
This strategic decision reflects Apple’s response to two critical needs. The first and most evident is that the company requires access to rare earth magnets without being subjected to the heavy influence China currently has over the global supply chain for these chemical elements. Furthermore, Apple’s investment in MP Materials has notably been welcomed by the administration of Donald Trump, as part of a commitment made by the company in late February of this year.
On February 24, Apple announced a plan to invest 500 million dollars over the next four years in the US, aiming to create 20,000 new jobs. Given this scenario, we are compelled to ask two essential questions: why are rare earth magnets so crucial for Apple and other technology companies? And how has China managed to dominate the global supply chain of rare earths to such an extent?
Rare Earths: The Backbone of Advanced Technology
“Rare earth materials are fundamental for producing advanced technology, and our partnership with MP Materials will fortify the supply of these essential elements here in the United States,” declared Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. Permanent magnets made from rare earths, like neodymium or samarium cobalt, are highly sought after by electronics manufacturers due to their high magnetic force, exceptional resistance to demagnetization, and thermal stability , among other impressive characteristics.
These components are not only vital for the electronics sector; they also play a critical role in manufacturing electric cars, aerospace, and advanced weaponry. Currently, the US and its allies face a significant problem: China controls almost the entire supply chain of rare earths. This Asian powerhouse produces 70% of rare earth elements globally and oversees 90% of the processing industry of these essential materials.
Rare earth magnets are crucial due to their high magnetic force, exceptional resistance to demagnetization, and thermal stability.
On April 4, just 24 hours after Donald Trump announced new tariffs on imports from abroad, China’s government responded vigorously. By early December 2024, they instituted a ban on exporting vital minerals to the US, including three essential metals crucial for the semiconductor industry: Gallium, Germanium, and Antimony .
Shortly thereafter, China added two more critical metals to its export restrictions: Scandium and Dysprosium. Though perhaps less known than previously banned metals, they are equally crucial because they are vital for the manufacturing industries of integrated circuits, telecommunications, and storage devices.
China’s ability to exert pressure has not diminished. Just ten days later, on April 14, they escalated their tactics by suspending, alongside the export of valuable rare earths, also that of high-power magnets critical to the aforementioned industries.
Within this context, MP Materials has emerged as a key player for the United States. This mining company is the owner of the only facility in the nation that contains the rare earth elements necessary for producing high-power industrial magnets. Consequently, it has become a strategic resource for the country and its efforts led by Donald Trump to develop a domestic rare earth supply chain, aiming to alleviate reliance on global markets.
Image | Daniel L. Lu
More information | Reuters
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