Jun 15 2011
International Trade Administration – Rare Earth Elements, China, and Washington DC
The global externship commenced on June 6th, 2011, just three days after my return from China. Early that Monday morning Adam and I met with Jane Earley, the Director of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices for the International Trade Administration (ITA). She directed us to our offices in the Herbert C. Hoover Building (Department of Commerce).
After formal pleasantries with the staff here at ITA, I was immediately assigned a project regarding rare earth elements used in the medical industry. Rare earths, a group of 17 minerals sharing similar chemical properties, are vital in the manufacturing and production of green technology, military defense equipment, and medical devices. In the realm of medical devices, rare earths are commonly used for x-ray equipment, x-ray film, and in the manufacturing of MRI equipment. Currently, China produces 97 percent of the world’s rare earths, which has resulted a Chinese monopoly of the minerals. Therefore, the rare earth situation in the United States is now being referred to as “critical” by officials and scholars alike.
My task here at the ITA is to form a report, as well as a 30-page paper for Widener, analyzing the rare earths situation. This requires much scholarly research on the topic, but also requires that I meet and discuss the issue with people familiar with the industry. Thus far, I have met with government employees, academics, scientists, and industrial folks. I often visit with the international trade specialists here in the office who help direct me to persons I can contact about the subject. Additionally, it is required that I attend conferences and events held throughout Washington. For example, on June 14th I attended a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill held by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The hearing concerned the federal perspective on the United State’s critical mineral strategy.
So far the externship has been a great opportunity to work on hot issues in international trade, meet people and set up personal networks, and understand fully how business in Washington goes about. My favorite part of the day is my walk through the National Mall to the Department of Commerce building. The Capital Building and Washington Monument looming overhead can inspire just about anyone to want to achieve success in this city.