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China’s Ministry of Commerce, via “Announcement No. 62 of 2025,” imposed sweeping new curbs on rare earth exports, requiring approval and declared end-use even for products with trace amounts. The move tightened Beijing’s grip on critical minerals and jolted a fragile US-China tariffs truce. President Donald Trump threatened 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and new software export controls, while both sides added port fees. Washington’s Scott Bessent called it “China versus the world”; Beijing blamed recent US suppression measures. Analysts said the controls will shock US supply chains and give China leverage ahead of expected leader-level talks.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.