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China expands rare earths export restrictions to new elements

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on October 9, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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China expands rare earths export restrictions to new elements
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BEIJING (Reuters) -China said on Thursday it would add several new rare earth elements to its export control list in a further tightening of its controls over the critical materials. The elements

China Tightens Export Controls on Additional Rare Earth Elements

Overview of China's Export Control Measures

BEIJING (Reuters) -China said on Thursday it would add several new rare earth elements to its export control list in a further tightening of its controls over the critical materials.

Newly Added Rare Earth Elements

The elements holmium, erbium, thulium, europium and ytterbium and related materials would be added to the existing control list, the ministry of commerce said in a statement.

Licensing Requirements for Exporters

In a separate release at the same time, the ministry also added dozens of pieces of rare earth processing equipment to the control list.

Impact on Global Supply Chain

Exporters will need to apply for licences before exporting any of the items from China.

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson in Beijing. Editing by Sharon Singleton and Mark Potter)

Key Takeaways

  • China adds new rare earth elements to export control list.
  • Holmium, erbium, thulium, europium, and ytterbium included.
  • Exporters need licenses for exporting these materials.
  • Dozens of rare earth processing equipment also restricted.
  • Potential impact on the global supply chain highlighted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rare earth elements?
Rare earth elements are a group of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table that are critical for various high-tech applications, including electronics, renewable energy technologies, and defense systems.

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