Source: Reuters
According to two sources, the agreement reached between China and the U.S. in London does not include military rare earth materials. Although China agreed to provide a fast-track application process for rare earth export permits to non-military American manufacturers, this does not cover military-specific rare earth materials.
The two sources told Reuters that during the trade truce reached in London, there was one core area of export restrictions that was not addressed: Beijing did not commit to lifting export restrictions on special rare earth materials used in fighter jets and missile systems.
In last week's negotiations in London, it appeared that China linked the lifting of restrictions on military rare earth magnets with the issue of U.S. export controls on advanced artificial intelligence chips to China.
One source said that during the London negotiations, China committed to establishing a fast-track approval process for applications from non-military American manufacturers among the tens of thousands of existing rare earth export applications. Licenses issued after approval are valid for six months. Beijing also proposed opening a "green channel" to expedite approvals for trusted American companies.
Preliminary signals were positive: Wednesday, China Rare Earth Magnet manufacturer Jinli Yongjin said it had obtained export permits, including those for the U.S. The Ministry of Commerce confirmed that some "compliant" export permit applications had been approved.
But two sources told Reuters that China did not make concessions on special rare earth materials, including samarium for military use. These special rare earth materials are not within the scope of the fast-track process agreed upon in London. Automotive and other industrial manufacturers mainly need other rare earth magnets, including dysprosium and terbium.
Source: Reuters
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