Overview
- The White House said China agreed after a leaders' summit to address shortages of yttrium, scandium, neodymium and indium and to discuss curbs on processing equipment and technology.
- China's commerce ministry said it would study "reasonable" U.S. concerns and defended its export rules as lawful under a civilian licensing system.
- Chinese customs data showed yttrium oxide exports to the U.S. fell to 10 metric tons in April from 60 tons in March, underscoring tight supply for uses like aircraft turbine blade coatings.
- Beijing's export controls, introduced in April 2025 after U.S. Liberation Day tariffs, still limit shipments of certain rare earths and other minerals.
- Reuters said Washington now seems to accept the restrictions as China controls over 90% of rare earth refining and guards the processing know-how.