This episode explores the factors that led to China’s dominance in rare earth production. Our guest, Dr. Julie Klinger, analyzes past incidents and WTO decisions that have sustained supply chains of rare earth production in China, and their impact on global production and China’s relations with other countries. Dr. Klinger also describes China’s investments into the development of technologies to mitigate the environmental burden. She further evaluates China’s own interests in diversifying the global supply chain of rare earths, and the potential for increased international cooperation on using rare earth resources more efficiently.
Dr. Julie Klinger is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, as well as Associate Director of BU’s Global Development Policy Center’s Land Use and Livelihoods Initiative. Dr. Klinger’s research focuses on the dynamics of global resource frontiers, with a particular focus on social and environmental sustainability.