According to Chinese customs data released on Saturday, shipments to the US totalled roughly 582 tonnes, down from 656 tonnes in October. Sales of all rare-earth items, a category dominated by magnets, increased month over month, according to a separate report released on Thursday, which was followed by the latest figures.
One of China’s most powerful tools in this year’s trade war with the US was rare-earth magnets, which are used in everything from military hardware to electric cars.
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Shipments to the US fell to less than 50 tonnes the following month as Beijing imposed stricter export regulations in April, raising the possibility of a catastrophic worldwide shortage.
Although there have been several escalations and brief truces during the year, exports have since recovered and are now at more typical levels.
Meanwhile, other entities are looking to leave a mark in the rare earth territory. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan recently held a meeting, as these five Central Asian countries hold vast mineral resources, including gold, rare earth elements and uranium.
Their location between Russia, China, South Asia and the Middle East makes the region a strategic corridor for infrastructure and trade.
(Edited by : Juviraj Anchil)