Rare lands: United States suspended from Chinese restrictions
New episode in the economic war between China and the United States: China seems to want to ease tensions, granting an unexpected stay on rare earth exports, essential resources for the advanced industries.
Under pressure from the United States, China has agreed to postpone the implementation of its new rare-earth export regime, which controls over 80% of world production.
A one-year agreement was reached between the two Powers, temporarily suspending Chinese restrictions. On the Chinese side, this compromise provides for the postponement of the system on rare earths, the resumption of massive American soybean purchases and the opening of TikTok to American investors.
In return, the United States is guaranteed access to these strategic resources, thus avoiding a supply crisis for its technology and military industries.
According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, China has underestimated the scope of the international response to its restrictions, thereby weakening its position on this issue.
This trade tension has also accelerated the diversification of supply chains, particularly in the United States and Japan, reducing their dependence on Chinese rare earths, although they remain a major strategic lever in the Sino-American economic war.
The formal signing of the agreement, expected in the coming days, will be closely monitored, as will the evolution of strategic metal prices and the impact on alternative supply chains.