Reference News website reported on April 6 that according to a report from Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao website on April 5, China announced on April 4 that it would implement export control on multiple medium and heavy rare earth-related items starting immediately. These rare earth elements are key components of defense and technology and have become the focus of attention for U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to reports, the Ministry of Commerce of China and the General Administration of Customs jointly released an announcement on April 4 regarding the implementation of export control measures on seven categories of medium and heavy rare earth-related items including samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium, which will be officially implemented upon release.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said on the same day that the Chinese government is legally implementing export controls on relevant items to better safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation. These items have dual civilian-military applications, and their export controls are common international practices.
Bloomberg reported that the above measures are expected to have widespread impacts on U.S. companies since these rare earth elements are used in optical lasers, radar equipment, high-power magnets for wind turbines, jet engine coatings, communication, and other advanced technologies.
According to estimates by the U.S. Geological Survey, China is the world's main supplier of rare earth materials, accounting for nearly 70% of global production. The USGS stated that from 2020 to 2023, 70% of the rare earth compounds and metals imported by the United States came from China.
Analyst Metcalfe from Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyzed that these restrictions may create serious supply chain bottlenecks for offshore wind turbines in Europe and the United States.
He said, "The European offshore wind power industry may find itself caught between China's countermeasures against the United States. The United States heavily relies on Europe for offshore wind turbine components."
Mel Sanderson, director of American Rare Earths, said, "China has strategically selected this list. They picked something crucial to the U.S. economy."
In retaliation against the U.S.'s "reciprocal tariffs," China announced on April 4 that it would impose a 34% tariff on all imports originating from the United States, along with several countermeasures.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7490130190853620250/
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