Catenaa, Friday, October 17, 2025- China has accused the US of creating “panic” over Beijing’s controls on rare earth minerals, but indicated it is open to trade talks to resolve the dispute.
“The US interpretation seriously distorts and exaggerates China’s measures, deliberately creating unnecessary misunderstanding and panic,” Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian told a news conference, according to the state newspaper Global Times.
Beijing last week announced sweeping controls on rare earth exports ahead of an expected meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on China starting on November 1 or sooner in retaliation.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer accused China of trying to control the world’s technology supply chains in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday. Beijing’s actions will determine whether the tariffs take effect, Greer said.
Trump wants to work with Beijing and is still scheduled to meet with Xi in South Korea later this month, Greer told CNBC. Beijing is open to talks with the US, China’s He said Thursday.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said its export restrictions aim to protect its national security by preventing the misuse of rare earths in military applications like weapons of mass destruction.
The spokesperson He pointed to restrictions the US has imposed against China on semiconductors and foreign content rules that aim to push Beijing out of North American supply chains.
“The accusations from the US reveal that the US is projecting its own behavior onto others,” He said.
Rare earths are used to make magnets that are crucial inputs in US weapons platforms like the F-35 warplane, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and Predator drones.
Rare earth magnets are also used in commercial civilian applications such as robotics, electric vehicles, and the semiconductor industry.
