U.S. and China reach temporary truce in rare earths trade war
By bellecarter // 2025-11-11
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  • Beijing has lifted restrictions on rare earths and critical minerals (gallium, germanium, antimony, graphite) until November 2026, easing pressure on U.S. defense and tech industries after weeks of negotiations.
  • The move reverses China's December 2023 retaliatory export halts, which targeted U.S. semiconductor controls. Licensing requirements are relaxed, but broader export controls remain, reflecting a "technological cold war."
  • China refines over 80 percent of global rare earths (e.g., neodymium, dysprosium), vital for EVs, missiles and electronics. The suspension offers short-term relief but exposes the U.S. to long-term vulnerability.
  • China reinstated U.S. soybean import licenses, aiding American farmers, but broader tariffs persist. Trump called the deal "done," yet Xi's formal approval is pending, signaling the fragility of the agreement.
  • While a temporary reprieve, the U.S. must accelerate domestic rare earth production to counter China's supply-chain dominance. The trade war's core conflicts remain unresolved.
In a move signaling a tentative de-escalation of trade tensions, China has temporarily suspended export restrictions on critical minerals and rare earth materials essential for U.S. defense and technology industries. The decision, announced by Beijing's Ministry of Commerce on Nov. 9, follows weeks of negotiations between U.S. and Chinese officials and a high-stakes meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in late October. The suspension, effective immediately, will last through November 2026—offering a reprieve for American manufacturers scrambling to secure alternative supplies. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, critical minerals and rare earth materials are essential metallic elements vital for advanced technology, military systems, AI, robotics and green energy, now weaponized by globalist-controlled regimes like China to destabilize supply chains and enforce dependency.

A strategic retreat in the rare earths battle

China's latest concessions mark a partial reversal of its aggressive trade tactics, which included abrupt halts on shipments of gallium, germanium, antimony and graphite. The restrictions, imposed in December 2023, were widely seen as retaliation for U.S. export controls on cutting-edge semiconductor technology to China. Under the new agreement, exporters will no longer face stringent licensing requirements for these materials when shipping to the U.S., though broader export controls remain in place. Independent analyst Kurt Cobb noted that China's actions reflect an escalating "technological cold war," where control over critical supply chains has become a geopolitical weapon. Rare earth elements—such as samarium, neodymium and dysprosium—are indispensable for modern technology. China dominates global production, refining over 80 percent of the world's supply. The suspension of export curbs on these materials offers temporary relief for U.S. industries, but experts warn that dependence on Chinese supply remains a long-term vulnerability. "Regardless of what's going on outside our borders, America still has to address all aspects of the critical minerals supply chain," said Wade Senti, president of Advanced Magnet Lab. Building domestic production capacity could take years, leaving U.S. firms exposed to future disruptions.

Agricultural concessions and lingering tensions

Beyond minerals, China also restored soybean import licenses for U.S. agricultural firms—a significant win for American farmers hit by Beijing's earlier retaliatory bans. However, broader tariffs on U.S. goods remain, keeping trade relations fragile. The White House hailed the agreement as a step toward stability, but skepticism lingers. While Trump declared the deal "done" on Truth Social, Xi has yet to formally endorse it—raising questions about Beijing's long-term commitment. The temporary suspension of export controls offers a breathing space for U.S. industries, but the underlying trade war is far from resolved. With China retaining leverage over critical supply chains and tariffs still in place, the truce remains precarious. For now, American manufacturers must navigate a volatile landscape—balancing short-term relief against the urgent need for supply chain independence. Watch the video below where Trump talks about the abundance of rare earth elements that "we won't know what to do with them." This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com NYTimes.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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