GreenergyDaily

Oct. 13, 2025

China's rare earth exports fell 31% in September from August, customs data showed on Monday, the third straight month of declines.

New controls that were introduced by China last week have threatened a trade truce with Washington and the three months of declines are expected to raise questions about its agreements with Europe and the U.S. to ramp up exports after China's decision to restrict shipments in April triggered shortages worldwide.

China, the world's largest exporter of rare earths, sold 4,000.3 tonnes of rare earths in September, down 30.9% from August, marking the lowest level since February, figures from the General Administration of Customs of China showed.

For the year-to-date period, exports hit 48,355.7 tonnes, up 13% from a year earlier.

"The obvious question is whether China restricted exports, particularly to the U.S. or the EU," said Cory Combs, head of critical mineral research at Trivium China.

"I suspect there are several factors at work, not just one big driver, like a license crackdown. But we'll only know for sure after the country-level export data comes out later this month."