BRICS vs G7: Who Actually Controls the World’s Rare Earth Reserves in 2026?
The global tech war just found its new battlefield—underground. Forget silicon chips; the real power struggle is over the rare earth elements that make them possible. And the map of control is being redrawn.
The New Geopolitical Chessboard
Traditional alliances are scrambling. While G7 nations debate policy, a different bloc is quietly consolidating control over the minerals that power everything from EVs to fighter jets. It's a resource grab playing out in real-time, with supply chains as the ultimate weapon.
Reserves vs. Reality
Owning the ground is one thing. Processing what's dug up? That's where the real leverage lies. The race isn't just about extraction—it's about who builds the refineries, controls the patents, and sets the market standards. Dominating the pipeline matters more than sitting on the raw material.
The Financial Fallout
Markets hate uncertainty, and this reshuffling is creating plenty. Strategic stockpiles are being built, trade agreements rewritten, and entire industries are recalculating their risk models based on who holds the keys to the elemental vault. It's the ultimate hedge—cornering the market on physical necessity.
So who wins? Follow the refining capacity, not just the reserve reports. The future isn't written by who owns the rock, but by who controls the process of turning it into power. And as any cynical financier will tell you—the real money isn't in owning the gold mine; it's in owning the only bank that can process the ore.
Who Owns Most of the World’s Rare Earth Reserves? BRICS vs G7 Comparison
BRICS owns the highest rare earth reserves, and the G7 bloc is lagging. According to the latest data, the alliance holds 72% of the rare minerals, which is a lion’s share. This allows them to dictate the terms and conditions of export and output. US President Donald TRUMP is looking to gain control of the sector and signed a pact with Japan.
The $550 billion pact with Japan secures a critical minerals supply and also reduces dependence on China. However, BRICS member China holds the highest rare earth reserves, and no G7 country comes close. The production of commodities requires the support of China, which the Xi Jinping administration leverages for trade deals.
Percentage-wise Holdings of the Minerals Mapped in Charts
Below is the estimated rare earth reserves held by BRICS members vs G7. The chart shows how the 11-member alliance is clearly at the top.
| Country | Estimated Reserves (Metric Tons) | Global Share (%) |
| China | 44,000,000 | 36–40% |
| Brazil | 22,000,000 | 15–16% |
| Russia | 12,000,000 | 9% |
| India | 6,900,000 | 5% |
| Vietnam (Associate) | 22,000,000 | 15–16% |
The chart above clearly shows that the 11-member bloc outperforms the West by a bigger margin.
Another Troubling Situation For the West
Trump allowed US firms to mine ore at Mountain Pass, California, but much of it has to be sent to China for refining. Even if the US gains access to the minerals, the refining has to be done by China. This gives the Chinese an upper hand in the sector as the US depends on their output. So, the domination of the rare earth reserves is clearly one-sided, where BRICS controls the sector and not the G7.
Why This Spells Trouble For the US Dollar
BRICS member China is leveraging its rare earth reserves to control trade policies with G7 members. The Xi Jinping administration has also tightened the whip by limiting sales to the US and the West. Developing countries now hold the key to the sector and not the developed nations. The global financial world is experiencing a tilt in power where emerging economies are at the forefront.
In addition, BRICS could rewrite trade policies for rare earth reserves, focusing on de-dollarization to challenge the G7. Xi Jinping wants the Chinese yuan to go international and compete with the US dollar. With a global share of 44%, it can dictate the policies and make it China-centric. It already controls the world’s factories and production, and now the minerals.
The Chinese yuan could be made the default payment along with other BRICS member currencies. This gives the G7 a big blow as all trade is dominated by the US dollar, euro, and pound. The rise of the Chinese yuan in the coming decades will lead to a paradigm shift in trade. Even India and Russia are aiming to internationalize their local currency, the rupee and ruble.
In contrast, the G7 countries are facing a dangerous inflection point in 2026. For decades, the West had successfully outsourced mining and refining to the East. Now, they are waking up to a reality where they own the brands (Apple, Tesla), but BRICS owns the ingredients of the rare earth reserves. The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been holding several emergency meetings in 2026 to discuss
