Core Viewpoint - In late 2024, China implemented strict export controls on rare earths, significantly impacting the global supply chain, particularly for the U.S. market, leading to a surge in illegal smuggling activities by U.S. companies themselves [1][2][3] Group 1: Policy Impact - China's new export control policy prohibits the export of rare earths for military use to the U.S. and requires permits for other types, marking an upgrade in China's control over the global rare earth industry [1][10] - Following the policy's implementation, rare earth prices in the U.S. skyrocketed by over 230%, prompting illegal smuggling activities [3][10] Group 2: Smuggling Dynamics - Smuggling operations often disguise rare earths within ordinary goods, making detection difficult, with illegal rare earths priced nearly 50% lower than legal ones, attracting U.S. companies to the underground market [3][5] - U.S. rare earth companies, facing market share erosion due to smuggling, began to self-fund evidence collection against smugglers, realizing that only intervention from the Chinese government could effectively address the issue [5][6] Group 3: Corporate Responses - Some U.S. companies chose to report smuggling activities to protect their market interests, with examples like MP Materials focusing on reporting rather than expanding production capacity [8][14] - The actions of U.S. companies in reporting smuggling have led to increased market share and stock price boosts for those involved, indicating a strategic shift towards legal compliance [8][14] Group 4: Regulatory Measures - China has initiated a series of strong measures against rare earth smuggling, including the use of nano-level electronic tags for traceability and a comprehensive regulatory framework from extraction to application [10][11] - The revised Mineral Resources Law in 2025 increased penalties for smuggling, with severe consequences for significant offenses, reflecting China's commitment to controlling the rare earth supply chain [11][14] Group 5: Global Competition - The rare earth industry is characterized by a complex interplay of global resource governance, technological competition, and national interests, with control over the supply chain being crucial for competitive advantage [13][14] - China's response to the smuggling issue highlights its role as a rule-maker in the global rare earth market, emphasizing the importance of sustainable and compliant industry practices for long-term success [14]

Group 1 - The "Critical Minerals Alliance," led by the U.S. and comprising 31 countries, has initiated measures targeting China's rare earths, including a $5 billion global exploration fund for projects in Australia and Canada [1] - The European Union is advancing plans to establish an "Eastern European Rare Earth Corridor," aiming for 20% self-sufficiency in rare earths by 2030 through the construction of separation plants in Hungary and Poland [1] - The U.S. is relaxing environmental standards to expedite rare earth mining in Minnesota, despite local protests from indigenous communities [1] Group 2 - Australia's Mount Weld mine has been operational for five years, but all extracted rare earths still require processing in China due to a lack of critical separation technology locally [2] - Chinese companies, such as Northern Rare Earth, have developed advanced separation processes and maintain a significant technological edge in rare earth materials [3] Group 3 - The U.S. is imposing a 25% tariff on Chinese rare earth magnets starting April 2025 and has established import quotas with Japan and South Korea, limiting their purchases from China to 60% [3] - The EU is planning to impose a carbon tax on Chinese rare earth oxides, but Chinese companies have managed to reduce carbon emissions significantly, leading to a delay in the tax's implementation [4] Group 4 - The U.S. Department of Defense is funding research for alternatives to rare earths, but current substitutes like iron-nitride alloys are not viable for high-performance applications [5] - Pakistan has signed a rare earth cooperation agreement with the U.S., planning a two-phase investment to explore and develop its rare earth resources, which could provide significant economic benefits [7][9] Group 5 - Despite the potential of U.S.-Pakistan cooperation, it is unlikely to impact China's dominance in the rare earth sector in the short term due to the lengthy timeline for exploration and production [11] - China currently controls over 60% of global rare earth extraction and 92% of processing, maintaining a strong position in the industry [11][13]

中美贸易问题还在谈判，美国为何突然变脸呢？特朗普升级打法，中国会用什么方式回应呢？ 在全球180多个与美国有贸易联系的国家中，唯有中国一个能够迫使特朗普在关税问题上高悬"免战牌"。现如今，中美在关税问题上虽说处于某种程度的休 战状态，但双方想要达成令彼此都满意的贸易协议， 仍然遥遥无期，这无疑进一步增加中美两国在贸易问题上的不确定性，并随时都有可能导致关税战火 重燃。至少，在双方达成协议之前，美国的挑衅性动作是不会停止的。果不其然，美国又变脸了，这是怎么回事呢？ 当然，特朗普升级打法，无非还是半导体和人工智能那几张牌，这对其他国家可能还有些效果，但用来对付中国，结果有可能是在朝着自己大腿开枪。毕 竟，中国既然敢于在几乎所有领域上跟美国正面刚，那就是因为手里头已经有了美国有关产品的替代品。对此，美方这套"连坐"封杀的操作，未必能够遏制 中国的芯片制造和人工智能雄心。与此同时，特朗普政府升级对华制裁措施，在伤害别人的同时，也必将伤害美国自己的产业链。因为这意味着，美国的供 应商需要花更多的时间和成本适应特朗普政府的制裁政策，更重要的是，他们还要承担失去中国市场的风险。毕竟，面对挑衅，中方已预告反击战！ 实际上，中 ...

2025年上半年，一场围绕稀土的暗战在美国企业内讧中爆发。 拿到政府补贴的美国稀土企业，自费搜集证据、收买内部人员，把本国企业走私中国稀土的实锤亲手送 到中国监管部门手中，直接掀翻了横跨中美两国的走私网络。 这波操作看似"胳膊肘往外拐"，实则藏着赤裸裸的利益算计。 一、稀土成"战略筹码" 稀土被称为"工业黄金"，小到手机芯片，大到F-35战机、核潜艇，都离不开这种关键材料。 2024年12月，中国正式出台稀土出口管制政策：可用于制造军事装备的关键稀土全面禁止对美出口，其 他稀土也必须申报用途、拿到许可证才能放行。 虽然美国有稀土矿，比如加州的芒廷帕斯矿，但缺乏精炼能力——中国掌控着全球90%的稀土精炼产 能，美国提炼氧化镨钕的成本高达5.8万美元/吨，比中国贵出六成。 过去美国依赖中国低价稀土惯了，禁令一出，美国稀土市场瞬间陷入混乱。 按照正常逻辑，美国本土稀土企业本该趁机扩产，填补供应缺口。 但现实是，这些企业打了另一笔算盘：中国禁令导致美国稀土价格飙升超230%，与其砸钱扩产承担风 险，不如捂货抬价，借着风口赚快钱。 拿了美国政府17亿美元补贴的MP材料公司，产能好几年原地踏步，压根没动过扩产的念头。 美 ...

Core Points - G7 and EU are planning to impose price controls on Chinese rare earths in response to China's recent export restrictions [1][5] - China has implemented stricter regulations on rare earth management, including transaction reporting and a blockchain tracing system [1][5] - Western countries are struggling to find alternative rare earth sources, realizing that no other country can match China's complete supply chain and advanced processing technology [3][5] Group 1 - G7 and EU are in urgent discussions to address the challenges posed by China's export controls on rare earths [1][5] - China's new regulations require individual transaction reporting and prohibit stockpiling, utilizing blockchain technology for monitoring [1][5] - The complete supply chain and high-end processing technology controlled by China make it difficult for Western nations to establish alternative sources [3][5] Group 2 - The proposed price cap and punitive tariffs by G7 and EU reveal their anxiety and frustration over China's resource protection measures [5] - Western nations are caught in a dilemma, acknowledging China's rise while attempting to pressure it through closed-door meetings [5] - The reliance of Western industries on Chinese rare earths, particularly in sectors like renewable energy and military manufacturing, complicates the effectiveness of any sanctions [5]

西方多国密谋稀土限价令 专家：恐将适得其反 据国际媒体报道，七国集团（GEO）与欧盟近期正酝酿一项针对中国稀土出口的限价令计划。与俄乌冲突期间对俄罗斯石油实施的最高限价不同，这次他 们打算设置稀土出口的最低价格，并可能对中国稀土加征关税和碳税。 这一计划的背景要追溯到中国实施稀土出口管制政策后。西方国家最初试图通过施压要求中国放松管制，但未能得逞。随后他们转向另起炉灶，试图建立独 立于中国的稀土供应链。然而现实却给他们泼了两盆冷水： 首先是资源禀赋问题。全球稀土储量分布极不均衡，中国不仅储量丰富，更关键的是掌握了占绝对优势的重稀土资源。其他国家即便有少量稀土矿藏，也以 轻稀土为主。就像一位矿业专家所说：没有矿藏资源，再好的技术也是无源之水。 相比之下，西方国家则陷入一个尴尬的悖论：他们要从零开始追赶，而中国已经在领跑。就像两个赛跑选手，一个在起跑线上热身，另一个已经跑出百米开 外。 更关键的是，这种政策难以获得国际支持。当年对俄罗斯石油的限价令之所以见效，是因为俄罗斯石油并非不可替代，且低价石油对进口国有利。但稀土的 情况截然相反：全球供应高度集中，限价令只会推高价格，这对其他进口国而言有百害而无一利。 业内 ...

根据路透社的报道，最近七国集团（G7）正在与欧盟密谋，要联手针对中国的稀土出口。 G7准备对华下达稀土"限价令"，规定稀土的价格下限，不仅如此还考虑对部分中国出口的稀土征收关税。 现在稀土够用了，G7就开始和欧盟商量着对华"下黑手"，计划设定所谓的"稀土价格下限"来推动自己国家的产能建设，不止如此，还考虑对中国的部分稀土 出口征收关税。 本月初G7的技术团队就在美国举行了会晤，一起参加的还有澳大利亚，这次会议核心讨论是，要不要在关键矿产领域提高外国投资的门槛，主要是限制对 华的投资。 另外还有一种选择就是地理限制，限定公共采购招标中对特定国家采购的稀土配额，着重也是针对中国的稀土。 这消息一出，不少人都乐了，七国集团和欧盟似乎没搞清楚，在稀土问题上，是中国"施舍"给他们饭吃，怎么还分不清大小王呢？ 那么G7这样做的目的究竟是什么？这个计划真的能奏效吗？ 最近的西方国家颇有种好了伤疤忘了疼的样子。 9月20日，中国官方发布的数据显示，8月份中国稀土出口量已经达到了2582吨，环比增长超过了两成，大部分的都流向了欧洲，可以说是缓解了欧洲的燃眉 之急。 然而记吃不记打说的就是他们，今年4月，中方实施关键矿产的出口管 ...

据海关总署9月20日公布的数据显示，今年8月份，中国对欧盟的稀土磁铁出口量环比增长21%，达到 2582吨，从今年年初至今的出口量已超过美国出口量的三倍。相比之下，中国对美国的稀土磁铁出口量 环比下降5%，至590吨。 彭博社当地时间9月21日报道称，上个月，中国对欧盟稀土磁铁出口激增，这凸显出欧盟对中国供应的 依赖程度高于美国。与此同时，报道渲染称，欧盟对中国稀土过度依赖，使其产业尤其容易受到影响， 且在中美贸易紧张局势中处境脆弱。 即便是随着近期供应量回升，早前的供货紧缺仍在整个欧盟产生了连锁反应。中国欧盟商会9月18日表 示，欧盟企业在今年8月份遭遇了7次生产中断，预计本月还将新增46次停工。 报道称，中国在稀土领域的主导地位已促使欧洲加快寻找替代方案的计划。欧盟的《关键原材料法案》 已于去年生效，其中包括从废旧电子产品中回收更多稀土元素的提议。此外，欧洲电动汽车产业也在寻 找爱沙尼亚等地的稀土供应来源。而在美国，唯一的稀土矿商MP Materials公司计划在今年晚些时候开 始稀土磁铁的商业化生产。 稀土磁铁 资料图 此前，据路透社当地时间9月16日报道，中国欧盟商会当天称，中方依旧对稀土出口严格把控 ...

Group 1 - The escalation of trade tensions between the US and China began in early 2023, with the US imposing tariffs and China responding with export restrictions on key minerals, including rare earth elements [1][2] - China controls over 80% of global rare earth production and over 90% of refining and magnet processing, leading to significant supply chain disruptions in the US and Europe [1][2] - The price of dysprosium surged from $300 to $850 per kilogram within five weeks due to export restrictions, causing production halts in automotive factories [1] Group 2 - The EU expressed concerns over China's export restrictions, urging for local sourcing and the establishment of a critical raw materials act to reduce dependency on Chinese supplies [4][9] - The US Congress is considering actions against China, including suspending landing rights for Chinese airlines in the US until export restrictions are lifted, which could severely impact US-China air travel and trade [6][8] - The EU's response includes calls for transparency from China regarding export data, as companies report increased production delays and project suspensions due to supply chain issues [9]

Core Insights - China's rare earth export control measures have unexpectedly impacted the EU market, leading to a severe supply chain crisis in the European automotive industry, with several car manufacturers facing inventory shortages and some production lines forced to halt [1][3] - The EU has requested China to restore regular supplies, but this request has been rejected, highlighting the geopolitical tensions and the interconnectedness of US and EU businesses [1][3] - The EU is considering sanctions against Chinese and Indian companies under pressure from the Trump administration, but is likely to adopt a cautious approach to avoid significant conflict with China [1][3] Group 1: Impact on European Automotive Industry - The ongoing rare earth export controls from China have put European companies at risk of prolonged production halts, with the EU expressing concerns over the necessity of China's control measures [1][3] - The EU has reached a consensus with the US to invest in developing rare earth supply sources outside of China, but currently, only one Australian company has the capacity to export, which is significantly lower than China's output, especially in heavy rare earths critical for the automotive industry [1][3] Group 2: Dependency on Chinese Rare Earths - The EU's rare earth imports are entirely dependent on China, with significant reliance on imports for key metals like lithium, copper, and nickel, which are essential for modern industrial applications [3] - China's rare earth production accounts for 95% of the global supply and controls about 90% of the refining capacity, creating a dependency that complicates the EU's ability to take a hard stance against China [3]