Joshua Ballard sat down with Dave Hodges on the CommonSense Show
On a recent episode of The CommonSense Show, host Dave Hodges sat down with Joshua Ballard, CEO of USA Rare Earth, for a deep and candid conversation about the national security and economic threat posed by America’s dependence on China for rare earth minerals — and what must be done to take that control back.
Ballard began by explaining that rare earth minerals are the invisible backbone of modern life. From missile guidance systems and satellite components to electric vehicles, smartphones, and renewable energy technologies, these materials are indispensable. Yet despite their critical importance, the United States has ceded not just production, but the underlying science and processing knowledge to China.
“We didn’t just lose the supply chain,” Ballard said. “We lost the know-how.” He pointed out that since the 1980s, the U.S. has systematically outsourced rare earth mining and processing to China in the name of environmental concerns, lower costs, and global trade integration. That decision, he argued, was a strategic blunder of historic proportions — and it has now left the U.S. dangerously exposed.
Hodges, known for his blunt and patriotic tone, agreed, stating that Americans have been kept in the dark about just how much of their everyday life — and national security — is effectively controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. Ballard affirmed that China doesn’t just dominate raw materials, it controls the scientific processes, patents, and industrial standards that make rare earth applications usable in real-world technology.
One of the most troubling points Ballard raised was that China has not only cornered the market — it has built in dependencies that make it difficult for U.S. industries to shift away quickly. American companies that want to design advanced electronics or defense systems must still comply with Chinese-controlled processing technologies, giving Beijing an alarming amount of leverage.
Hodges asked what would happen if China suddenly restricted exports — a scenario not far-fetched given recent global tensions. Ballard warned that entire industries could grind to a halt. “This isn’t just about smartphones,” he said. “We’re talking about weapons systems, missile defense, and the future of the U.S. military’s technological edge.”
To reclaim the science, Ballard argued, the U.S. must rebuild from the ground up. That means investing not just in mining, but in domestic processing, metallurgical research, and workforce training. USA Rare Earth is at the forefront of this movement, developing mine-to-magnet supply chains fully within U.S. borders and partnering with universities and research labs to recover lost knowledge.
Ballard emphasized that this is not simply a business opportunity — it’s a national emergency. “You can’t win 21st-century conflicts with 20th-century supply chains,” he said. While some in Washington have begun to grasp the magnitude of the problem, Ballard noted that bureaucratic inertia, permitting delays, and lack of strategic urgency are still major obstacles.
The discussion also touched on the philosophical implications of relying on a geopolitical rival for strategic materials. Hodges expressed concern that America is not just outsourcing minerals — it’s outsourcing sovereignty. Ballard agreed, adding that it’s time to view rare earth production as critical infrastructure, not a commodity market.
Throughout the interview, Ballard made it clear that reclaiming rare earth science is not just about technical knowledge — it’s about mindset. “We have to stop thinking of China as a partner in this arena. They are a competitor, and in many ways, an adversary,” he said. “Reclaiming the science means reclaiming control over our future.”
As the conversation concluded, both Ballard and Hodges called on Americans to demand action from their leaders and recognize that rare earth independence is not a partisan issue — it’s a survival issue.
The interview served as a powerful wake-up call. America’s rare earth vulnerability is no longer theoretical. And unless the U.S. reclaims the scientific and industrial ground it surrendered, it may find itself unable to compete — or defend itself — in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
