BEIJING has placed export restrictions on rare earth elements as part of its sweeping response to US President Donald Trump's tariffs, squeezing supply to the West of minerals used to make weapons, electronics and a range of consumer goods, reports Reuters.
The move, which Beijing had long hinted was possible, further ratchets up trade tensions between the world's two largest economies and leaves American manufacturers scrambling for fresh supplies of the critical minerals they have relied upon for decades.
china produces around 90 per cent of the world's rare earths, a group of 17 elements used across the defence, electric vehicle, energy and electronics industries. The United States has only one rare earths mine and most of its supply comes from China.
Beijing announced the controls as part of a broader package of tariffs and company restrictions in retaliation for the US decision to hike tariffs against most Chinese products to 54 per cent.
SeaNews Turkey
The move, which Beijing had long hinted was possible, further ratchets up trade tensions between the world's two largest economies and leaves American manufacturers scrambling for fresh supplies of the critical minerals they have relied upon for decades.
china produces around 90 per cent of the world's rare earths, a group of 17 elements used across the defence, electric vehicle, energy and electronics industries. The United States has only one rare earths mine and most of its supply comes from China.
Beijing announced the controls as part of a broader package of tariffs and company restrictions in retaliation for the US decision to hike tariffs against most Chinese products to 54 per cent.
SeaNews Turkey
