Decades of process innovation and industrial policy helped China corner the rare earths market while the US fell behind.

China’s rare earth export controls were “specifically designed to hit the US defense industry, and I cannot envision China stepping back from that,” said Thomas Kruemmer, ...

By Nectar Gan, CNN. Hong Kong (CNN) — Despite a 90-day truce in its trade war with the United States, China appears to be maintaining tight control over its rare earth exports – preserving a ...

China has quietly issued its first 2025 rare earth mining and smelting quotas without the typical public statement, sources ...

China has also taken steps to bring foreign-owned rare earth refineries under domestic control, which aligns with its strategy.A Canadian firm, Neo Performance Materials, recently agreed to sell ...

Workers transport soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China October 31, 2010. Picture taken October 31, 2010.

The U.S. once controlled the market on rare earth elements, sought after for a range of technologies. But in the last few ...

The U.S. found out this year that China could use its chokehold on rare-earth minerals as a coercive tool. For Japan, it was ...

By Nectar Gan, CNN Hong Kong (CNN) — Despite a 90-day truce in its trade war with the United States, China appears to be maintaining tight control over its rare earth exports – preserving a ...

China mines about 60% of the world's rare earths and makes 90% of rare earth magnets. It sets quotas on output, smelting, and separation, which are monitored as a barometer of global supply.

China accounts for 61% of global mined rare earth production, but its control over the processing stage is much higher at 92% of the global output, according to the International Energy Agency.

How China’s new rare-earth export controls target the Pentagon—and the world The licensing system replaces a cruder, less flexible means of economic leverage.