University of Western Australia Study Challenges China's Rare Earth Price Manipulation Claims, Reveals Critical Market Blind Spot

Highlights

• UWA researchers find evidence consistent with limit pricing by China—keeping prices low enough to deter rivals without selling below cost
• The study cites China Northern Rare Earth's ~40% stake in the Baotou exchange, raising concerns about price discovery integrity
• Lynas operated near breakeven for much of the study period, illustrating how dominant pricing can suppress competitor viability
• REEx argues allied nations must build durable industrial ecosystems across separation, metals, alloys, and magnets—not just mining capacity
• The $110/kg NdPr oxide DoD benchmark used as an investment threshold is a policy figure, not an independently verified competitive price