الصين تشدد قيود تصدير المعادن الأرضية النادرة

China has tightened restrictions on the export of rare earth metals to include products manufactured abroad, adding a complex layer of restrictions to an industry that has long been a source of sharp trade disputes between Beijing and Washington.

Foreign exporters of goods that use certain types of rare metals imported from China will need to obtain an export license from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, according to data released by the ministry today (Thursday).

The ministry justified the decision by the need to protect Chinese national security and interests.

Bloomberg News reported that it is still unclear how Beijing intends to implement the new restrictions, which, if enforced, could hinder external efforts to build supply chains for rare earth metals without China.

However, these measures reflect the United States' use of export controls to prevent Chinese companies from purchasing certain advanced chips and the tools necessary for their manufacture, coming at a time when the leaders of the two countries are preparing to meet in South Korea.

The ministry stated that some elements of rare earth metals used in research and development of certain computer chips will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Technologies related to the extraction and recycling of rare earth metals and the manufacturing of magnets, along with related engineering equipment and technologies, will be prohibited unless permitted by the ministry.

The ministry said: "Some foreign institutions, as well as individuals, have directly or indirectly transferred or supplied controlled rare earth elements of Chinese origin, whether in their raw state or after processing, and these elements have been used in sensitive areas such as defense, and these actions have had a negative impact on international peace and stability."