**Rare-Earth Supply Chain Gets Real: Why Industrial Stocks Are Suddenly Relevant**

China controls ~70% of rare-earth metal extraction globally. That's a problem for anyone betting on U.S. supply chain independence—and a massive opportunity for companies fixing it.

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) just became impossible to ignore. The stock is up 480% YTD, with 42% gains just since early October. Why the sudden spike? Three words: geopolitical tensions.

China announced export restrictions on rare-earth metals. The White House responded by making MP Materials a priority—DoD took a $400M stake (now largest shareholder), and Apple signed a $500M long-term supply agreement. Mountain Pass mine in California is suddenly one of the few domestic sources of these critical minerals for EVs, consumer electronics, and defense applications.

With Trump's second term focusing on supply chain resilience, expect more government backing. Few mining plays are this well-positioned to capitalize on U.S.-China friction.

The real question: Is this a long-term structural shift or a trade war rally? Either way, the stock is worth watching for industrial investors hedging geopolitical risk.