China has expanded export controls on rare-earth metals, adding new limits on technologies linked to mining and processing and placing five additional elements under restriction. The Ministry of Commerce said exporters will now need licenses for technologies used in mining, smelting, assembly, setup, maintenance, repair and modernization of production lines; the added elements — holmium, erbium, thulium, europium and ytterbium — bring the total to 12 controlled rare-earth metals. The measures take effect on Nov. 8, shortly before a 90-day trade truce with Washington expires. 

The ministry said further curbs will apply to foreign entities exporting related products outside China and clarified that licenses will not be granted to foreign defence-related firms; requests involving advanced semiconductors will be considered on a case-by-case basis. "Some foreign organisations and individuals directly or after processing transfer or provide controlled rare-earth items originating in China for direct or indirect use in sensitive areas, such as military activities," a ministry spokesman said, adding this causes substantial harm or potential threats to China’s national security and interests and harms international peace and stability. 

China accounts for more than 90% of global production of processed rare-earth metals and magnets and is a leader in technologies and recycling equipment for the sector. The announcement came a day after U.S. lawmakers urged broader bans on exports of chipmaking equipment to China. #China #RareEarths #ExportControls #FiatNews