April 27, 2025
The Hidden War for Rare Earths — and Why Canada Is the Prize
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In this eye-opening episode of Bigger Table, we dive into the strategic significance of rare earth elements and explore their critical role in shaping the future of global power. Something seemingly as outrageous as Trump wanting to annex Canada opens up a larger conversation about control over these vital resources.
We journey into the world of rare earth elements, essential yet often overlooked components of modern technology and military infrastructure. From the neodymium in electric motors to the europium in your TV screens, we uncover how these 17 elements are the backbone of our daily life and national security.
Currently, China dominates the rare earth market, producing and refining the majority of these elements, a reality that poses strategic challenges for the U.S. and its allies. However, hope appears on the horizon with nations like Australia and projects within the United States working to diversify the supply chain.
The discussion turns to Canada's significance in this global race. While not commonly spotlighted in conversations about rare earths, Canada possesses vast resources within its politically stable and environmentally conscious land, making it an attractive yet strategic target.
With significant ongoing rare earth projects like the Necholaco Project and the Ashram Deposit, the episode examines why Canada, a nation rich in rare earth elements and economically tied so closely to the U.S., could transform from a partner into a critical asset in this modern-day resource-driven empire building.
We challenge the notion that modern empires require military conquests, instead suggesting that control over crucial resources like rare earth elements is the new frontier in global domination. As the need for these elements grows, so does Canada's strategic importance in the geopolitical landscape.
Join us for this compelling narrative that redefines how we understand power and influence in the age of technology and resource scarcity, and learn why Canada's minerals might just become the center stage of future global conflicts.
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You might think the idea of Trump wanting to annex Canada sounds outrageous.
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Another wild headline designed to fire up his base and grab attention.
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But what if it's not just another throwaway line? What if it's something more
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profound? Something strategic?
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Something that could reshape the future of global power?
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You're listening to Bigger Table, where more chairs, fewer walls,
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and greater progress aren't just a slogan.
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They're the mission. Let's get into it.
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Sometimes what sounds like a joke is actually a warning.
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And in this case, it all comes down to something you probably don't think about
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very often, rare earth elements.
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Rare earths aren't flashy like gold or diamonds, but they are far more critical to the modern world.
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These minerals are hidden, scattered, and often hard to pronounce.
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But without them, our entire digital and military infrastructure would grind to a halt.
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Rare Earth elements are the unsung heroes behind everything from smartphones
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to missile guidance systems.
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There are 17 rare Earth elements, and each one plays a critical role in the
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technologies we rely on daily.
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Let's take a look at just a few examples.
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Neodymium makes powerful magnets which are found in electric motors and wind turbines.
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Lanthanum helps build the batteries inside hybrid cars and improves camera lenses.
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Cerium plays a key role in cleaning auto emissions and polishing glass.
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Praseodymium is vital for aircraft engines and fiber optic cables.
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Dysprosium and terbium resist heat and are perfect for advanced military technology.
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And Europium gives your flat screen TV those vibrant red colors.
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Even yttrium, which you might have never heard of, helps fight cancer and makes
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superconductors possible.
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Without rare earths, you can't build smartphones, you can't advance green energy,
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and you definitely can't protect national security.
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In short, the country that controls rare earths controls the future.
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Right now, that country is China. China produces around 70% of the world's rare
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earth elements. Even more importantly, it dominates the refining and processing stages.
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The parts of the supply chain that really matter. This leaves the United States,
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and much of the West, dangerously dependent on a strategic rival,
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and that's a major problem.
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China has already threatened to restrict rare earth exports during trade disputes,
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sending a clear message that whoever controls these minerals controls global leverage.
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So now, the world is scrambling for alternatives.
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Let's briefly tour where other rare earths are found outside of China,
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Thanks to the Bayan Oboe Mine in Inner Mongolia, China still leads by a wide
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margin, the largest rare earth deposit on Earth.
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Vietnam and Brazil have significant reserves but lack the infrastructure to
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capitalize on them fully.
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Russia and India also have potential but face major political and logistical challenges.
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The United States has Mountain Pass in California, a major mine slowly rebuilding
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its processing capabilities.
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Australia is becoming a serious player, with companies like Linus operating
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outside China's control.
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And then there's Greenland, a country that Trump actually tried to buy.
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At the time, everyone laughed, but the truth is that Greenland holds some of
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the richest, untapped rare-earth deposits in the world.
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You're listening to Bigger Table, where progress is made, one conversation at
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a time. Let's keep building.
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Now, let's talk about Canada, the quiet giant in this story.
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Canada doesn't usually make headlines regarding rare earth elements,
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but it absolutely should.
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Canada holds millions of metric tons of rare earth minerals.
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It is politically stable, environmentally responsible, and geographically perfect
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for North American supply chains.
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Right now, Canada has three major rare earth projects underway.
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The Necholaco Project in the Northwest Territories, the Ashram Deposit in Quebec,
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and the Wichita Project in British Columbia.
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More than 20 additional exploration sites show huge potential.
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The United States government knows this. That's why Canada and the United States
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have already signed a joint action plan on critical minerals,
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aiming to develop these resources together.
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But if you are someone like Donald Trump, someone who thinks in terms of dominance
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and dealmaking, would you see Canada as a trusted partner, or would you see it as an opportunity?
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Trump has a track record of viewing allies as assets to be leveraged.
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He slapped tariffs on Canada, launched trade wars against longtime partners,
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and openly floated the idea of buying an entire country.
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He approaches geopolitics the way a businessman approaches a hostile takeover.
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And when you look at Canada through that lens, it's a platinum-tier asset.
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Canada is resource-rich, militarily light, and shares the world's longest undefended
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border with the United States. Its resources include oil, fresh water,
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lumber, and now rare earth elements.
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Would Trump really attempt to annex Canada by force?
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Probably not, but economic pressure, strategic investment, and trade leverage
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are the tools of modern empire building.
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In today's world, you don't need to conquer land to take control.
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All you need is control of the resources.
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Rare earth elements are the ultimate leverage. And right now,
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Canada is sitting on a gold mine.
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So when Trump hints at taking Canada, it's not just a joke. It's a glimpse into a very real playbook.
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Empires don't expand with armies anymore. They expand through supply chains,
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resource control, and critical mineral dominance.
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Canada may not be looking for a fight, but that doesn't mean it won't become a target.
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Demand for rare earth elements explodes as global tensions rise and technology
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becomes even more dependent on these invisible resources.
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Canada will become one of the most strategic prizes on earth.
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So the next time you hear someone laugh off the idea, remember,
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the future wars might not be fought over oil or territory. They might be fought
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over minerals you've barely even heard of, until now.
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If you found this deep dive eye-opening, follow the podcast,
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share it with someone who needs to hear the truth, and stay tuned for more insights
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into the forces shaping our future.
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Because in the battle for rare earth elements, knowledge is the first weapon.
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And I thought this was going to be a dull day.
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Thanks for pulling up a chair at Bigger Table. If you believe in more voices,
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fewer walls and real progress, please help us grow.
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Follow, review and share this podcast.
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Until next time, keep building a bigger table.
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