Rare Earths: Chips, Supply Chain Security and US–Taiwan Resilience

In this episode of DC Insiders, Sarah Stewart, CEO of Silverado Policy Accelerator, speaks to host Wenchi Yu about the growing importance of rare earths and semiconductors in US and Taiwanese industrial strategy. Stewart details how export controls have evolved into powerful tools of economic statecraft, with China’s dominance in rare earth refining now serving as a major vulnerability for the US, Taiwan and their global partners. She traces the history of how the US outsourced key refining capacities, the environmental and economic challenges of restoring domestic supply chains, and the lessons learned from past crises like China’s 2010 rare earth export ban to Japan.

Stewart discusses the joint efforts by US allies, including the Quad nations and new trilateral initiatives with South Korea and Japan, to diversify supplies and reduce strategic dependencies. She emphasizes the necessity of a “build, protect and promote” strategy for both chips and minerals, noting bipartisan consensus in Washington on increasing resiliency. The interview also covers challenges facing Taiwanese companies as they navigate evolving US tariffs, investment incentives and the shifting rules of global trade. Stewart’s insights provide a roadmap for reducing chokepoints, leveraging alliances and strengthening economic security in a world where minerals, technology and policy are inextricably linked.

View the full episode.