China Responds to US tariffs with Export Controls on Critical Rare Earth Minerals

China recently imposed export restrictions on seven types of rare earth elements as part of its response to President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. These measures mark an escalation in trade tensions between the two nations. They are framed by Beijing as necessary for national security and strategic interests, which Legal Insurrection has followed closely.

The curbs apply to medium and heavy rare earth elements, including samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium. These restrictions cover raw materials, alloys, oxides, compounds, and finished products, such as permanent magnets and target materials used in high-tech manufacturing.The export curbs include not only mined minerals but permanent magnets and other finished products that will be difficult to replace, analysts said.

The export curbs include not only mined minerals but permanent magnets and other finished products that will be difficult to replace, analysts said.

The move, which affects exports to all countries, not just the U.S., is the latest demonstration of China’s ability to weaponize its dominance over the mining and processing of the critical minerals...