China’s stranglehold on rare earths must be ended, says hopeful supplier to EU

Live updates

1. 36d ago

   China Rare Earth Export Controls Near Expiry Date

   A twelve-month suspension of expanded Chinese rare earth export controls approaches its expiration date on November 10, 2026. The impending deadline brings renewed focus to global supply vulnerabilities. United States supply chains face severe operational risks, including potential asset seizures and arrests, as China weaponizes its market dominance according to Trump officials. Meanwhile, Chinese state media defends the export restrictions as necessary steps for domestic industrial sustainability that align with international standards rather than acting as tactical countermeasures.

   Why it matters

   China controls the vast majority of global refining capacity and rare earth magnets, creating a profound chokepoint for Western economies and defense supply chains. American dependence on these restricted materials highlights an urgent need for domestic processing capacity and diversified supply sources. The regulatory framework enforced by Beijing serves as a central point of friction in international trade relations.

   What is confirmed

   • China has weaponized its rare earths dominance, creating supply chain risks that include arrest and asset seizures for the United States.
   • China has targeted United States rare earth companies with export restrictions.

   Still unconfirmed

   • China's new regulations to strengthen export control measures are driven by domestic industrial sustainable development needs and align with international management standards rather than acting as a tactical countermeasure.

   What to watch next

   • The expiration of China's 12-month rare earth export control suspension on November 10, 2026.
   • Shifts in United States supply chain resilience and processing capacity.
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.yahoo.com — Trump officials warn China is weaponizing rare-earth ... - Yahoo
   2. english.scio.gov.cn — China's rare earth regulations responsible step toward ...
   3. ima-api.org — China rare earth export pause nears expiry amid persistent ...
   4. shalemag.com — China Targets U.S. Rare Earth Companies | Energy Network ...
   confidence 80%
2. 38d ago

   EU Exposes Rare Earths Vulnerability as China Holds 90% Share

   Europe faces a critical minerals crisis that no bilateral deal between the United States and China can solve, as the continent sources more than 90 percent of its rare earths from Beijing despite a 65 percent ceiling set by the Critical Raw Materials Act. China controls roughly 90 percent of global refining capacity and rare earth magnets, turning its export controls into a powerful choke point for the global economy and Western defense supply chains. To curb this reliance, the European Union is establishing its first joint stockpile of critical minerals including tungsten and rare earths.

   Why it matters

   China's dominance of rare earths loomed over talks in Washington between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, where export controls served as leverage in trade discussions. Beijing mines a majority of the world's rare earths and dominates refining, creating a supply-chain vulnerability that impacts defense and energy sectors globally. Economic policy analyst Joris Teer from the EU Institute for Security Studies points out the challenge of dismantling this global stranglehold.

   What is confirmed

   • China controls roughly 90 percent of rare earth magnets and a majority of the world's rare earths.
   • Europe sources more than 90 percent of its rare earths from China, exceeding the 65 percent ceiling set by the Critical Raw Materials Act.
   • The European Union is establishing a joint stockpile of critical minerals like tungsten and rare earths to reduce reliance on China.
   • China controls as much as 90 percent of global refining capacity.

   Still unconfirmed

   • MP Materials could benefit as the United States races to build a domestic supply chain following China's rare earth squeeze.

   What to watch next

   • Implementation and contents of the European Union's joint critical minerals stockpile
   • Further developments in US-China trade talks regarding critical mineral export controls
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. discoveryalert.com — Europe’s Critical Minerals Crisis That No US-China Deal Can Solve
   2. bisi.org.uk — China's Rare Earth Processing Dominance and What the Trump-Xi ...
   3. klse.i3investor.com — EU Shortlists Tungsten, Rare Earths for First Stockpile to ...
   4. www.wionews.com — China tightens grip on critical minerals, disrupting Western ...
   5. investorplace.com — China’s Rare Earth Squeeze Is Making MP Materials More ...
   6. www.europesays.com — What will it take to dismantle Beijing's global stranglehold ...
   confidence 95%
3. 46d ago

   Western Firms Target China Rare Earth Dominance as Shipments to US Fall

   Western companies are attempting to break China's control over rare earth minerals through new supply chains and partnerships. Viridis intends to supply the European Union, while REalloys and JS Link have formed a North American platform to challenge Chinese magnet dominance. These efforts coincide with a decline in Chinese rare earth shipments to the US ahead of a summit between Presidents Xi and Trump. Meanwhile, China's trade limits continue to impact imports in Japan, despite Chinese officials claiming they support global supply chain stability.

   Why it matters

   Rare earths are essential for high-tech magnets and green energy transitions. China currently maintains a dominant grip on the market, allowing it to use trade limits as geopolitical leverage. Diversification efforts aim to reduce dependence on a single source for these critical minerals.

   What is confirmed

   • Chinese rare earth shipments to the US decreased before a meeting between Presidents Xi and Trump.
   • China continues to maintain a grip on critical minerals despite US investments.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Viridis plans to supply rare earths to the EU.
   • REalloys and JS Link united to challenge China's rare earth magnet dominance with a North American platform.
   • China's trade limits are affecting Japan's rare earth imports.
   • China's Foreign Minister claims the country works to maintain the security of global critical mineral supply chains.

   What to watch next

   • Outcome of the Xi-Trump summit regarding mineral trade
   • Implementation of the Viridis supply chain to the EU
   • Production volumes from the REalloys and JS Link North American platform
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. The Guardian — China’s stranglehold on rare earths must be ended, says hopeful supplier to EU | Critical minerals
   2. Bloomberg.com — China Rare-Earth Magnet Exports to US Drop Before Xi-Trump Meet
   3. South China Morning Post — China’s trade limits continue to bite into Japan’s rare earth imports
   4. Reuters — US invests in critical minerals but China maintains grip
   5. careplusvn.com — REalloys and JS Link Unite to Challenge China's Rare Earth Magnet Dominance with North American Platform - Earnings Per Share
   6. Financial Times — Chinese rare earth shipments to US drop ahead of Trump-Xi summit
   7. ua.news — Viridis plans to supply rare earths to the EU — The Guardian
   8. globaltimes.cn — China consistently works to maintain stability, security of global critical mineral supply chains: FM on US rare-earth claim
   confidence 70%