Americans with conditions such as brain tumors, liver cancer, and heart issues may face disruptions in their medical care if President Donald Trump’s trade war limits access to rare earth minerals used in healthcare applications. China processes nearly all of the world’s rare earths, a group of 17 metals essential for products in defense, healthcare, and technology sectors. Recently, Beijing restricted the export of several rare earth minerals as retaliation against U.S. tariffs, potentially causing shortages in American industries. While much attention has been on the impact on U.S. military capabilities, experts warn that medical supply chains are equally at risk. Rare earths are crucial for many medical technologies used in diagnostics and treatments. If supplies are limited, countries might prioritize these minerals for defense purposes, reducing availability for healthcare. Additionally, the U.S. imports a significant amount of Chinese medical goods, including antibiotics and precursor chemicals. As trade tensions escalate, experts fear China could exploit this dependency, affecting Americans reliant on Chinese-made healthcare products. Beijing has previously used its dominance in rare earths for political leverage, such as banning exports of critical metals to the U.S. last year. This month, China imposed export restrictions on seven more rare earths, including gadolinium and yttrium, citing their dual-use nature. Companies must now seek permission to export these metals from China, a process that could take up to 45 days. Gadolinium, for instance, is used in MRI contrast fluids, and shortages could hinder accurate diagnoses of brain tumors. Other rare earths like lutetium and yttrium are vital for cancer drugs and medical lasers. The full impact of these regulations on U.S. healthcare supply chains remains unclear, but some Chinese exporters have already halted shipments. Chinese officials claim humanitarian needs will be considered, but concerns persist about the geopolitical implications of using rare earths as a negotiating tool.
— new from The Washington Post