U.S.-China trade war restarts

Tensions between the U.S. and China reignite as President Donald Trump vows steep new tariffs in retaliation for Beijing’s renewed restrictions on critical mineral exports

TOP PRODUCERS OF RARE EARTHS*

Xi Jinping: China has expanded rare earths export controls, adding five new elements and extra scrutiny for semiconductor users

Trump: Threatens additional levies of 100% on China’s U.S.-bound exports and new export controls on “any and all critical software” by Nov 1

MINED
REFINED
China 61%
China 92%
Rest
15%
Rest: 2%
Vietnam: 1%
Malaysia
5%
U.S.: 9%
Myanmar: 15%

FIVE RARE METALS ADDED TO EXPORT CONTROLS

Metals
Holmium
Erbium
Thulium
Europium
Ytterbium
Example uses

Magnets, semiconductors, laser surgery, nuclear reactors
Fibre-optic telecommunications, infrared technology
X-ray equipment, laser technology, ceramic materials
Nuclear reactors, medical imaging, magnetism research
X-ray machines, nuclear medicine, quantum computers

*In 2023, magnet rare earth elements only

With addition of these five, China now restricts exports of 12 rare earth elements, critical for advanced tech manufacturing

Erbium

Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg, IEA
Pictures: Getty Images, Newscom
© GRAPHIC NEWS