this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2025
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China has stopped exporting rare earths to everyone, not just the U.S., cutting off critical materials for tech, autos, aerospace, and defense (fortune.com)
submitted 5 days ago by floofloof@lemmy.ca to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

China has been doing this for years.

[–] anonApril2025@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

They've been completely cutting off these specific rare earth metals for years?

[–] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

They've been buying up and hording rare earth metals for years to secure their own manufacture and as a form of soft power.

From 2011:

That’s because China now controls over 95% of the world’s supplies of rare earth metals, and has placed curbs on rare earth exports, creating a resource stranglehold. China slashed export quotas by 72% in the second half of last year, and imposed a further 35% cut in the first half of 2011 from the year-ago level. As a result prices for some rare earths have jumped more than 1,000%.

[–] anonApril2025@lemmy.zip -1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

So to the question I asked... No. They have not been cutting off these specific rare metals for years. They have restricted the supply to raise prices.

Thanks for confirming that china has not been completely cutting off supply to these rare metals for years.

[–] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

China has been playing a long game with rare earth metals. You asked a specific question, the answer of which wouldn't really explain anything. I gave you a longer answer that gives a fuller picture.

Trump and company were fools to trigger China like this.

[–] anonApril2025@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 days ago

I agree. Also. China, previous to this point, didn't completely cut off these specific rare earth metals.