Graham Platner Urges China Clean-Energy Cooperation as Beijing Controls 70% of Key Mineral Refining
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 20
Graham Platner Urges China Clean-Energy Cooperation as Beijing Controls 70% of Key Mineral Refining
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 20
Graham Platner, Maine’s presumptive Democratic Senate nominee, said the U.S. should cooperate with China on clean energy rather than take what he called an “absurd” hawkish stance toward Beijing.
Platner framed that approach as a way to fight climate change, make fossil fuels obsolete and improve energy security through joint clean-energy efforts.
The proposal lands against China’s dominant position in clean-tech supply chains: the International Energy Agency says China leads refining in 19 of 20 strategic minerals, averaging a 70% market share.
That leverage has already shown up in trade restrictions—Beijing imposed 2025 controls on lithium-ion battery supply chains, and earlier 2026 rare-earth curbs cut U.S. yttrium imports about 95% and sent prices roughly 69 times higher.
The debate could sharpen in Maine’s Senate race as Platner, backed by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, seeks to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
With China weaponizing its mineral monopoly, what is the true cost of securing America's clean energy future?
As China leads in green tech and pollution, can America cooperate on climate while competing for vital minerals?
Can innovation in mineral recycling offer a path beyond reliance on China or controversial domestic mining?