Rare earth metals are elements extracted and processed for use in several technological products, in wind turbines and in defence equipment. Mainly mined and refined in China, the growing demand for these elements in a world of rising technology investments has led to a global overreliance on China for access to these crucial materials. This dependence is currently creating trade tensions between the US and China. On one hand, the US are threatening to increase tariffs, while on the other hand, China is threatening to impose new controls on the rare earths’ exports.
Since Liberation day tariffs, global demand for rare earth elements and strategic metals has risen and has driven their prices, and the price of related producers, higher. The Wisdom Tree Strategic Metals and Rare Earths Miners Index, for example, has increased by more than 100% since April 2025.
A variety of rare earth metals mining funds and ETFs are available to invest in this theme.
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