Can China make its rare earth controls bite?
AdvertisementUS-China trade warOpinionChina OpinionWenran JiangOpinion | Can China make its rare earth controls bite?If China backs down or fails to enforce its controls effectively, it will undermine this policy and cast doubt on other tools it wields
Reading Time:3 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPWenran JiangPublished: 5:30am, 23 Oct 2025The Chinese government’s recent announcement of more export controls on rare earth-related items marks a significant shift in global economic statecraft. The new measures, covering a spectrum of rare earth elements, other critical materials and relevant processing technologies, have been justified as measures to safeguard national security and fulfil non-proliferation obligations.AdvertisementThe controls aim to deny the use of the materials in foreign military systems, linking China’s mines directly to the heart of Western military technological superiority.This could be seen as a robust policy response to the challenges posed by the United States’ own..
