Executive Summary

The United States is adopting a holistic, multi-agency approach to rare-earth security. This is driven by Intelligence Community prioritisation, DoD investment, and DOE supply-chain initiatives. China is tightening export controls and intensifying counter-intelligence measures in anticipation of foreign intelligence activity in the rare earth arena.

Beijing’s October 2025 expansion of export controls, combined with Ministry of State Security (MSS) allegations of foreign intelligence-linked smuggling and subsequent zero-tolerance enforcement, signals an increasingly securitised rare-earths posture. China’s framing of rare-earth extraction, processing, and export as national-security functions indicates further tightening is likely. 

In parallel, U.S. intelligence leadership directed all CIA directorates to elevate rare-earth monitoring in 2025. Meanwhile, NGA seeks enhanced tracking capabilities. Simultaneously, the U.S. government has increased strategic investments. DOE’s $134M supply-chain program and DoD’s equity stake in MP Materials attempt to mitigate dependence on China. Together, these developments point toward escalating strategic competition over rare-earth access. Both states are broadening intelligence and security roles in the sector.