Is the author suggesting that people could be without products they need to survive if companies lack access to rare-earth metals? Which selection from the article supports your answer?

Far from it. The article is very reassuring about the ability of the world to survive regardless of whether or not rare earth materials become unavailable due to political reasons or become depleted naturally.

Explanation:

The author rather speaks to the reality that it may pose some challenge or discomfort if China decides to weaponize the commercial availability of her rare  earth metal using trade restrictions but that it would only lead to one or all of the following:

Cheers!

either a donut or a sphere or a pancake or a flat sphere. it depends on where the vertical line is.

if the line goes through the center of the circle and is perpendicular to a diameter containing the center, then you get a flat circle.

if the line and the diameter of a the circle meet in the center of the diameter and at an angle, you get a pancake.

if the line is on the circumference of the circle and is at right angles   to the circle you get a ring.

if the line contains the diameter, you get a sphere.

the the line is parallel to the diameter and touches the circumference, you get a donut.