In the 1980's and 90's, China forced American rare earth mines out of business, using illegal labor practises. Meaning low wages and child labor.
In doing so: China became the only and very dominant producer of rare earths, producing up to 97% of all rare earths worldwide. She became the only supplier of these high tech metals, not afraid to use its monopoly position in its own advantage.
Using the protection of the environment as a shield, China was able to create a shortage of supply in the rare earth market, asking whatever they wanted for her products and even creating illegal export quota's.
While the West tries to create its own supply chain, China uses even medieval methods to stop western companies in succeeding, such as sabotaging the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant in Malasia, by offering bribes to the Malasian government.
While tensions between the West and China increase, China's illegal practises proof that the country is not ready to be a member of the WTO!
Because China ignores the rules of the WTO and in particular the trade dispute on rare earths, we proudly announce today, the day that we, americans and europeans, don't take this chinese shit anymore: BOYCOTCHINADAY !
