Elemental Crisis | Sunday on 60 Minutes

A 60 Minutes investigation examines rare earth metals as a flashpoint in U.S.-China trade tensions, with Jon Wertheim reporting from America's only active rare earth mine. China controls the vast majority of global rare earth production, giving it significant leverage over supply chains for critical technologies including smartphones, robotics, military fighter jets, and drones. The U.S. mine represents an effort to reduce American dependence on Chinese sources for these strategic materials essential to both civilian technology and national defense. Rare earth elements are difficult and expensive to extract domestically, but securing independent supply lines has become a priority for U.S. officials concerned about supply chain vulnerability. The segment airs Sunday on 60 Minutes.