The Quest for Rare Earth Minerals

The United States and Ukraine are weighing a deal that would give the U.S. a cut of revenues from Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. But Gracelin Baskaran, mining economist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said rare earths aren’t all that rare. So why is the Trump administration scrambling to get its hands on these minerals from other countries? On the show today, Baskaran explains what rare earths are, why mining them isn’t always economically attractive, and what the U.S. is doing to try to catch up with China’s rare earth production. Plus, why recycling is only part of the solution.

Then, we’ll get into why Canadians are boycotting American vacations. And, how easy is it to get someone to dream about a tree or supply chain economics?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Opinion | How Trump Can Turn the Ukraine Mineral Deal Into Real Security” from The New York Times
• “US seeks to reopen terms of Ukraine minerals deal” from Financial Times
• “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Immediate Action to Increase American Mineral Production” from the White House
• “Ukraine mineral deal could bolster U.S. supply of key materials” from Marketplace
• “Why does DRC want a Ukraine-like minerals deal with Trump, amid conflict?” from Al Jazeera
• “The Space Station Is Too Clean, and It’s Making Astronauts Sick” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Canadians Are Boycotting American Vacations” from The Wall Street Journal

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.