China Tightens Rare Earth Grip in Retaliation to U.S. Tariffs, Targeting Defense-Critical Elements

Highlights

• China imposed export restrictions on seven defense-critical rare earth elements in response to US tariffs.
• Suspended exports of key rare earths like samarium, dysprosium, terbium, and scandium vital to military and tech industries.
• The rare earth standoff represents a new front in economic warfare between the US and China.

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Amid escalating trade tensions, China has moved decisively to weaponize its dominance over rare earth elements, imposing export restrictions on seven defense-critical REEs following new U.S. tariffs. As reported by Indian Defence Review (opens in a new tab), Beijing’s April 10 retaliation included a sweeping 34% tariff on U.S. goods and the suspension of rare earth exports such as samarium, dysprosium, terbium, and scandium, all vital to American military, EV, and energy technologies.

Although China temporarily eased non-tariff measures on 28 U.S. companies after May 11 negotiations in Geneva, it maintained full strategic control over these rare earths, citing national security. This signals a broader shift: rare earths are now a frontline weapon in U.S.–China economic warfare. As the U.S. lags in domestic refining and processing, its vulnerability deepens. The rare earth standoff is no longer theoretical—it’s a live front in a new cold war over technological and industrial primacy.

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