Beijing imposed new restrictions on rare earth exports on Thursday, targeting critical minerals production technologies and their overseas use, including for military and semiconductor applications.
China dominates the global processing of rare earths – essential in everything from everyday electronics to fighter jets. The latest move came as Beijing engaged in trade talks with the United States and ahead of an expected meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the APEC summit in South Korea later this month.
Under the new rules, licenses will be required for the export of technologies used in rare earth mining, smelting and processing, as well as for magnets manufacturing. Foreign firms seeking to supply rare earths produced in China or processed with Chinese technologies will also need to obtain a license, according to the country’s Ministry of Commerce.
The restrictions aim to “safeguard national security and interests” by preventing the materials from “being used, directly or indirectly, in military and other sensitive fields,” the ministry said.
The commerce ministry will reject license applications for military use as well as defense companies and associated entities “in principle,” it said.
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