目前人们在为能源危机担忧,可是存在一种更为严重的、会使美国经济屈服的资源危机。在美国必不可少的36种非燃料矿物中,有22种必须从国外进口。如1980年,美国进口这类矿物占国内需求量的比重;铬为91％,铂类金属为88％,钴为98％,铝土为94％,钽和锰各为97％。而进口石油却只占全国所需石油的42％。 At present, people are worried about the energy crisis, but there is a more serious resource crisis that will give the U.S. economy a yield. Of the 36 non-fuel minerals essential for the United States, 22 must be imported from abroad. In 1980, the United States imported such minerals as the share of domestic demand; 91% for chromium, 88% for platinum metals, 98% for cobalt, 94% for bauxite and 97% for tantalum and manganese. While imported oil only accounts for 42% of the oil needed in the country.