May 20, 2026 09:44 PM seekingalpha.com Positive

China says will work with U.S. on 'reasonable' rare earth export concerns

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[Iridium is a metallic chemical element belonging to the class of transition metals, silver. Used in high strength alloys that can withstand high temperatures]
RHJ/iStock via Getty Images

China's government said Wednesday its export controls on certain rare earths and other minerals are legitimate and legal but will work with the U.S. [https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/china-says-rare-earth-controls-lawful-will-cooperate-with-us-reasonable-concerns-2026-05-20/] on "reasonable" concerns, while also planning to speed up construction [https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-speed-up-construction-strategic-mineral-reserve-sites-says-government-2026-05-20/] of strategic mineral reserve sites.

Following President Trump's meeting in Beijing last week with China's President Xi, the Trump administration said China agreed to address concerns around shortages of rare earths such as ⁠yttrium and scandium as well as other critical minerals.

In response to questions around the White House statement, China's Ministry of Commerce said both sides had discussed the issue and would study and resolve "each other's reasonable and lawful concerns."

The two statements appear to reflect a new status quo where the U.S. tacitly accepts the export restrictions, while the White House said six months ago that the restrictions would be dismantled.

The new regulations reported by the Xinhua state news agency set a minimum five-year term for strategic mineral resource reserves kept at their source, with post-term reviews by State Council authorities to determine extensions or adjustments.

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MORE ON RARE EARTH AND STRATEGIC METALS

* REMX: Why Rare Earths Are Becoming The New Oil [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4898742-remx-why-rare-earths-are-becoming-the-new-oil]
* REMX: The Geopolitics Of A US REE Stockpile Depletion [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4882478-remx-the-geopolitics-of-a-us-ree-stockpile-depletion]
* XME: The Equal-Weight Metals Play For 2026 [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4888039-xme-etf-equal-weight-metals-play-for-2026]