Where there is action, there is reaction

摘要

Sir Isaac Newton's third law of motion states: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. A similar parallel could be drawn in the world of rare earth supply, chains and new technology. However at times, we can overreact. In the late 2000s, with the recognition of the strategic importance of rare earths, China held a near total control of supply, and looming export restrictions over rare earth supply caused the US, European and Asian governments, and multi-national industrial corporations, to call for the development of rare earths resources and supply chains outside China.