China and the U.S. Address Rare Earth Export Concerns

China will address U.S. concerns regarding shortages of certain specialty rare earths caused by its export controls, as agreed during a recent summit. Despite previous agreements, restrictions remain on exports like yttrium and scandium. China also dominates rare earth refining but closely guards its technology.

In a notable development, China has committed to addressing the United States' concerns over shortages of rare earth minerals caused by its export restrictions. This comes in the wake of a summit where both nations negotiated key deals, aiming to ease tensions in certain critical industries.

The White House emphasized that despite an agreement reached last October, China's export controls on rare earths like yttrium and scandium remain stringent. These minerals play crucial roles in defense, aerospace, and chip manufacturing, making their accessibility a significant concern for the U.S.

China's Ministry of Commerce, however, did not reference rare earths in its public statements, further complicating the situation. Dominating over 90% of the world's rare earth refining, China maintains strict control over its technology and processes, keeping them largely out of reach for international firms.