Vital Western alliance countries' heavy dependence on China major problem: 'dangerously exposed'

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A new report shows that countries within the Five Eyes intelligence partnership - the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand - heavily rely on China for rare earth elements (REEs), a set of metallic elements that play a crucial role in the mineral supply chain market.

The Five Eyes alliance has become an integral part of global intelligence and security operations. The group collaborates on intelligence matters and shares sensitive information to ensure collective security and thwart global threats.

Rare earth elements are necessary to produce military equipment, and the report notes that Western military supply chains are also highly vulnerable to Chinese decisions to limit REEs exports.

The report titled "Decreasing Rare Earths Dependency: How the Five Eyes Alliance can Minimize Rare Earths Trading Risk with China" argues that Five Eyes countries must diversify away from China for their supply of REEs.

OVER 40% OF AMERICANS SEE CHINA AS AN ENEMY, A PEW REPORT SHOWS. THAT'S A FIVE-YEAR HIGH

The U.S. had once been a key player in the rare earth elements market. Now, the U.S. is very dependent on China, importing as much as 80% of its REEs from China, according to the report.

"The Five Eyes countries are dangerously exposed to China when it comes to rare earth minerals, as they are all over reliant on China for this critical resource,"