They sound like the names of characters in a science fiction blockbuster: Neodymium, Praseodymium, Dysprosium and Terbium.

In reality, these magnetic rare earth elements are more like the invisible main characters of our modern world — critical for manufacturing everything from electric vehicles and wind turbines to fighter jets and nuclear submarines — and they are almost certain to be on the agenda when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with US President Donald Trump.

China has carved out a near-total monopoly in rare earth production and processing, but its dominance in the area has taken decades of investment.

This has become an increasing concern for nations including Australia, according to Naoise McDonagh, an international trade and geopolitics expert and senior lecturer a

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