Story perspectives

China Adds US Rare-Earth Firms to Export Controls

6/24/2026

Left

China Defends Controls

China’s Ministry of Commerce defended the export controls as necessary for national security and non-proliferation.
MP Materials Corp and USA Rare Earth Inc were added by China to export control list, applying dual-use restrictions globally.
The Defense Department invested $400 million in MP Materials, the U.S.’s sole rare-earth mine.
USA Rare Earth secured $1.6 billion from the Commerce Department and purchase Brazil’s Serra Verde Group.

Right

Trump Backs Mining

President Donald Trump’s administration backed Virtus Minerals, U.S.-owned mining operator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a decade.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said the export controls protect national security and meet international non-proliferation obligations.
U.S. officials said the measures respond to Washington’s blacklist of Chinese firms linked to military.
The venture is expected to create jobs for American and Congolese workers and develop skills.

History

Historical Context

In the 1990s the United States classified rare-earths as a good and tightened export rules, leading to a WTO case ruling against China in 2014. China’s export-rebate and quota policies raised its share from 21 % in 1985 to about 60 % by 1995, cementing dominance. Today China’s Ministry of Commerce adds MP Materials, USA Rare Earth and Virtus Minerals to its dual-use list, echoing U.S. controls.

1 of 3

China Defends Controls

China’s Ministry of Commerce defended the export controls as necessary for national security and non-proliferation.
MP Materials Corp and USA Rare Earth Inc were added by China to export control list, applying dual-use restrictions globally.
The Defense Department invested $400 million in MP Materials, the U.S.’s sole rare-earth mine.
USA Rare Earth secured $1.6 billion from the Commerce Department and purchase Brazil’s Serra Verde Group.

1 / 3