Most of you reading this already understand that rare earths are not hard-to-find potting soils; they are exotic materials like cerium, neodymium or dysprosium, that have been key to the development of such diverse products as advanced optics, computer hard disk drives, and hybrid automobiles. While environmental concerns were shutting down RE mines in the U.S., China, with an abundant supply of these elements, was busy ramping production and clamping down on access. American manufacturers were not pleased with the situation, to the point where they asked the World Trade Organization to step in. Hey, China. Bad country. Go sit by your dish.

http://youtu.be/SA63FsUVBk4