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The rare earth element neodymium
Image: Frank Rumpenhorst/picture alliance

Rare earth elements

Rare earth minerals are a group of elements crucial for electronics, defense and auto industries as well as other high-tech products.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

A jellyfish in the deep sea

The hidden money behind deep-sea mining

The hidden money behind deep-sea mining

DW traces the hidden money behind deep-sea mining — an industry scientists warn could irreversibly harm oceans.
Nature and EnvironmentJanuary 31, 2026
A banner with the logo of the World Economic Forum on it shown before a backdrop of snow-covered mountains in the Swiss Alps

WEF in Davos: Is Greenland the wake-up call Europe needed?

WEF in Davos: Is Greenland the wake-up call Europe needed?

Europe faces waning influence amid wars, trade tensions, climate inaction and growing US hostility.
BusinessJanuary 20, 2026
Trump and Xi shake hands during a meeting in South Korea in October 2025

China stays resilient in first year of Trump 2.0

China stays resilient in first year of Trump 2.0

Donald Trump's second term in the White House has tested China's tit-for-tat approach in response to the trade war.
TradeJanuary 20, 2026
US President Donald Trump speaking at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos-Klosters

WEF: Donald Trump set to dominate Davos 2026

WEF: Donald Trump set to dominate Davos 2026

The US president's presence is expected to raise the stakes at the WEF annual meeting in Davos.
BusinessJanuary 19, 2026
Greenland Nuuk 2026

5 graphics that show Greenland's importance to Trump

5 graphics that show Greenland's importance to Trump

Its entire population would fit in a large stadium but there are many reasons why Greenland is coveted.
PoliticsJanuary 17, 2026
A split picture of left, Donald Trump pointing during a speech, and, right, snow-covered houses on the coastline of Greenland

Greenland minister rejects US overtures to buy the territory

Greenland minister rejects US overtures to buy the territory

The mining minister says Greenland must be treated as a partner — and the people will decide the fate of their island.
BusinessJanuary 9, 2026
Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

A sign for the AU-EU summit hangs from the Saloa Protocolar in Luanda, Angola.

How the EU seeks to counter China in Africa

As EU leaders met with African counterparts in Angola, the question remains: How can Europe compete with China?
TradeNovember 25, 2025
China's research icebreaker Xuelong, a red and white ship, is moored at a port in Shanghai

China's Arctic ambition eyes raw materials, military bases

Once uninhabitable, the Arctic is now becoming the new frontier for global powers vying for influence.
TradeNovember 24, 202502:23 min
Wheel loaders load trucks with rare earth at the Port of Lianyungang in Lianyungang city, eastern China's Jiangsu province

Can the West break China's grip on rare earths?

China dominates every stage of the rare-earth supply chain. Efforts to reduce the reliance have made little progress.
BusinessOctober 25, 2025
Two Nexperia workers walking through a cleanroom at the chipmaker

European carmakers face Nexperia chip supply shock

Europe's carmakers are reliant on China, as fresh evidence of the industry's struggles with supply chains shows.
BusinessOctober 23, 2025
A generic picture of the American and Chinese flags imposed over shipping containers at a port with a plane flying over

How China tightens the screws in trade war with the US

Beijing is standing firm in its trade dispute with the US. The higher the tariffs, the greater China's confidence grows.
BusinessOctober 18, 2025
Workers use machinery to dig at a rare earth mine in Baiyunebo mining district of Baotou in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

How China wields rare earths as a strategic weapon

Until global supplies of rare earths increase, China wields great power over the critical technology sectors.
TradeOctober 9, 2025
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