Most of us have never heard of them, but rare earth elements quietly power almost everything we touch. From your phone to your electric car to the very microphone you’re listening to, these 17 minerals are the hidden backbone of the modern world. 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty explores the science and the drama behind these vital elements – and the increasingly tense battle for their control. Eoin McGrath, Principal Geologist with the Geological Survey Ireland, explains what rare earths are and why they matter for green energy, defence, and everyday tech. He also shows why extracting and refining them is so tricky — and why the world can’t afford to take them for granted. 

Later, Arthur Sullivan, senior editor at DW, breaks down the global stakes. China currently dominates rare earth production, controlling 85–90% of the market, and has turned it into a powerful bargaining chip, imposing major controls on their export. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer this week called China's new measures "a global supply-chain power grab." 

Arthur explains how Europe and the U.S. are scrambling to catch up, how these materials intersect with trade tensions, the war in Ukraine, and what it could mean for future alliances around the world. 

🌍 Explore more with Geological Survey Ireland: www.gsi.ie 

📰 Read more from Arthur Sullivan at DW: Arthur Sullivan – DW