“No Need to Worry About a Halt in Rare Earth Supplies”
As China has further tightened its export controls on rare earths, a strategic mineral, Chinese state media have stated that the new measures are not an export ban but rather regulations in line with international practices and aimed at ensuring the stability of the global supply chain. They also dismissed concerns about a potential halt in rare earth supplies as unnecessary.
On October 10, the Global Times, an affiliate of the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, published an editorial regarding the previous day's announcement by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on strengthening export controls for rare earths. The editorial stated that the announcement “further refines the regulatory framework and mechanisms for controlling the export of certain rare earth-related items and technologies.”
The Global Times emphasized, “This decision is by no means impulsive. Rather, it is part of China’s systematic efforts to promote standardized management of the rare earth industry.” The editorial also noted, “Rare earth-related technologies have already been included in China’s list of prohibited and restricted export technologies since 2001. In April this year, the Chinese government also implemented controls on the export of rare earth items by Chinese institutions and individuals.”
The editorial continued, “This announcement is about further improving and strengthening the existing (rare earth) management system. It is a routine measure taken by China according to the law to manage the rare earth industry.” The article added, “Some foreign media outlets have raised concerns that normal rare earth trade could be disrupted or that supply could even be halted, but such worries are entirely unnecessary.”
The newspaper argued that export controls on rare earth-related items, which have both military and civilian uses, are an internationally accepted practice. It claimed that such controls are necessary to prevent environmental damage and to avoid undermining the stability of the global supply chain.
The editorial further stated, “As a major supplier of rare earths, China has never used its resource advantage as a tool of hegemony. The goal of rare earth control measures has always been ‘export regulation,’ not ‘export prohibition.’ Even after China implemented rare earth export controls, contrary to claims by some Western media, the global rare earth industry chain has not been severed.”
The newspaper concluded that China’s rare earth regulatory policy “aims to ensure the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains.” It added that Western claims that “China is tightening its grip on the world’s rare earths” overlook China’s longstanding regulatory framework and peaceful approach.
The previous day, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced its “Decision on Export Controls of Overseas Rare Earth Materials,” adding samarium, dysprosium, gadolinium, terbium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium metals, as well as samarium-cobalt alloy, terbium-iron alloy, dysprosium-iron alloy, terbium-dysprosium-iron alloy, dysprosium oxide, and terbium oxide to the list of controlled exports, effective from November 8.
To export these materials, exporters must obtain a dual-use goods export license issued by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. Rare earth permanent magnet materials and rare earth target materials manufactured overseas using these substances-whether contained, combined, or mixed-are also subject to export controls.
This export control decision comes as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea later this month. With the two leaders expected to discuss trade issues such as tariffs, analysts suggest that China is seeking to strengthen its negotiating position ahead of the U.S.-China summit by tightening rare earth export controls.
Meanwhile, on October 9 (local time), during a cabinet meeting at the White House, President Trump was asked by reporters how he would respond to China’s introduction of rare earth export controls and suspension of U.S. soybean imports. He replied, “We both import and export. We are importing a large amount from China. Maybe we will have to stop that.”
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