China has reaffirmed its recent export control measures on rare earth minerals as a lawful refinement of trade policies, emphasizing its commitment to stabilizing global supply chains amid escalating tensions with the United States. A spokesperson for China's Commerce Ministry stated Sunday that the controls align with international practices and aim to 'safeguard national security and development interests.'
The remarks come in response to U.S. tariffs of up to 100% on Chinese goods and expanded export restrictions on critical software. Beijing urged Washington to 'correct its wrong practices' and honor agreements made during recent high-level discussions between leaders of both nations.
Rare earth elements – crucial for manufacturing electronics, renewable energy systems, and defense technologies – remain central to the strategic competition between the world's two largest economies. China currently produces about 70% of global rare earths and refines nearly 90% of these critical materials.
The Commerce Ministry spokesperson emphasized China's willingness to resolve disputes through existing bilateral mechanisms, stating: 'Dialogue based on mutual respect and equal-footed consultation remains the only viable path to ensure stable, sound, and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic ties.'
Analysts suggest the measures could accelerate global efforts to diversify rare earth supply chains while testing the resilience of international trade frameworks. The development underscores the delicate balance between national security priorities and maintaining vital economic interdependence in Asia-Pacific relations.
