J. A. Green & Company President Jeff Green Rebuts Misleading Points on Rare Earths Propagated by Wall Street Journal’s Editorial Board

Washington D.C. -- J. A. Green & Company (“J. A. Green & Co.” or the “Company”) President Jeff Green published an opinion editorial (“op-ed”) in Defense News titled, “Rare Earths Require More than Free Markets.” 
 
The op-ed rebuts claims from the Wall Street Journal’s (“WSJ”) editorial board that free-market economics alone can solve the supply chain risks of rare-earth elements (“REEs”). 
 
Mr. Green says that relying entirely on market dynamics to solve REE supply chain risks “glosses over China’s ability to cut off supplies; provides misleading information on China’s current and future involvement in rare-earth production; inappropriately argues the U.S. can meet its defense needs in the event of an embargo; offers a knee-jerk assessment of rare-earth mining and processing as environmentally destructive; and ignores the national security implications of an entirely market-driven approach.” 
 
Mr. Green also acknowledges that recent actions from President Biden and Congress indicate that an entirely free-market approach is unlikely in the years ahead. Yet, he also warns such thinking on REE supply chains must be considered in the context of national security rather than market forces. 
 
“The WSJ should note that even the 18th century economic theorist Adam Smith noted that market rules don’t apply to national security, so lawmakers and members of the administration must not be fooled by an entirely free market approach that ignores forces larger and more powerful than the invisible hand.” 
 
J. A. Green & Co. has been helping businesses navigate the complexities of government since 2007. Jeff Green is a retired Air Force Colonel, former counsel for the House Armed Services Committee, and President of J. A. Green & Co., a Washington D.C. federal affairs consulting firm. 
 
The complete op-ed may be found on the Defense News website using the link below: 
 
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/03/09/the-rare-earths-crisis-requires-more-than-free-markets/ ​