Rare Earth Caucus Co-Chair Johnson applauds Obama announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), co-chair of the House Rare Earth Caucus, made the following statement after President Obama announced the U.S. will join Japan and the European Union in a complaint at the World Trade Organization over Chinese limits on exports of rare earths:

“It’s important we hold trading partners accountable, particularly when manipulative practices create strategic vulnerabilities for the United States. China’s rare earth monopoly threatens our national security, jobs, and energy independence.”

Johnson introduced the Resource Assessment of Rare Earths (RARE) Act of 2011, which directs the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a three-year, comprehensive global mineral assessment of rare earth elements (REEs).

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