4 h. ago Brazil’s last asbestos miners are switching to rare earth minerals. Can they offer a brighter future?

The small city of Minaçu is hoping to challenge China’s dominance in servicing the global appetite for minerals key to the green energy transitionMinaçu, a small city in inland Brazil and home to the only asbestos mine in the Americas, is set to become the first operation outside Asia to produce four rare earths on a commercial scale – a group of minerals key to the energy transition at the centre of the trade dispute between China and the US.Until now, China has dominated the separation of rare earths, and accounts for 90% of the manufacture of rare-earth magnets, or super magnets, which are made with these elements and used in electric cars, wind turbines and military equipment such as jets. Continue reading...

Politics

45 h. ago The Guardian view on Donald Trump’s China deal: rare earths pave the green road to militarisation | Editorial

Clean tech’s key minerals now drive western rearmament, reviving extractive ambition and exposing the toxic cost of dependenceIt’s an irony that the minerals needed to save the planet may help destroy it. Rare earth elements, the mineral backbones of wind turbines and electric vehicles, are now the prize in a geopolitical arms race. The trade agreement between Washington and Beijing restores rare earth shipments from China to the US, which had been suspended in retaliation against Donald Trump’s tariffs. Behind the bluster, there has been a realisation in Washington that these are critical inputs for the US. They are needed not just by American icons such as Ford and Boeing but for its fighter jets, missile guidance systems and satellite communications.This understanding suggests that Washington will scale back some of its countermeasures once Beijing resumes delivery of rare earths. The paradox is that to reduce its dependence on China, the US must depend on Beijing ...

Events

3 d. ago Deal with Beijing will speed China's export of minerals to the U.S., treasury secretary says

Washington and Beijing have signed a trade agreement that will make it easier for American firms to obtain magnets and rare earth minerals from China that are critical to manufacturing and microchip production

Economics

5 d. ago The world wants China’s rare earth elements – what is life like in the city that produces them?

More than 80% of China’s rare earth reserves are located in Baotou, an industrial hub of 2.7 million people that abuts the Gobi desertCentral Baotou, an industrial hub of 2.7 million people that abuts the Gobi desert in north China, feels just like any other second-tier Chinese city. Large shopping malls featuring western chains including Starbucks and KFC stand alongside street after street of busy local restaurants, where people sit outside and children play late into the evening, enjoying the relative relief of the cooler temperatures that arrive after dark in Inner Mongolia’s baking summer.But a short drive into the city’s suburbs reveal another typical, less hospitable, Chinese scene. Factories crowd the city’s edges, with chimneys belching white plumes of smoke. As well as steel and silicon plants, Baotou is home to China’s monopoly on rare earths, the metallic elements that are used in oil refining equipment and car batteries and that have become a major sticking point in the...

Politics

2 w. ago China demands sensitive information for rare earth exports, companies warn

Extensive licensing requirements raise concerns about intellectual property theft

Events

2 w. ago Trump says Trade War ‘deal with China is done’ and he and Xi agree on minerals: ‘FULL MAGNETS’

China’s restrictions on rare earth exports have been putting pressure on American manufacturers who rely on them for a wide range of products

Politics

2 w. ago US and China reach deal to ease rare earth mineral export curbs after talks in London

US commerce secretary says framework puts ‘meat on the bones’ of deal reached last month in Geneva to ease retaliatory tariffs

Economics

2 w. ago Stock markets rise after US and China agree framework deal to restore trade war truce – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsUS-China trade talks: ‘framework’ deal amid dispute over rare earthsRichard Hunter, head of markets at interactive investor, says this week’s talks in London between the US and China “represent progress”, despite the lack of detail about what was agreed:“Apparently constructive talks between the US and China have put markets on a firmer footing, as investors hope that the worst of the tariff turbulence may have passed.Details of the framework which has been agreed in principle were patchy and in any event yet to be signed off by both Presidents. Chinese exports of rare earth minerals are likely to have been high on the agenda, although at this stage it has not become apparent what China may have negotiated in return.“Markets will likely welcome the shift in tone from confrontation to coordination. But with no further meetings scheduled, we’re not out of the woods yet. The next step depends on Trump and Xi endorsing and enforc...

Economics

2 w. ago China, U.S. officials reach agreement for allowing rare earth, tech trade. Now it's up to Trump and Xi

China, U.S. officials reach agreement for allowing rare earth, tech trade. Now it's up to Trump and Xi  CNBC

Politics

3 w. ago US and China to resume trade talks in London amid rare earth export disputes | Top points

US and China to resume trade talks in London amid rare earth export disputes | Top points  Mint

Politics

3 w. ago US wants ‘handshake’ on rare earth curbs as talks begin in London

US wants ‘handshake’ on rare earth curbs as talks begin in London  Tribune India

Politics

3 w. ago US hoping for ‘handshake’ from China at trade talks; takeover flurry in the City – business live

US hoping to get handshake from China over access to rare earths, at meeting in London todayThe presence of US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick at today’s talks in London is seen as directly related to China’s export ban on rare earth minerals and permanent magnets, critical in aerospace, military and semi-conductor companies worldwide, my colleague Lisa O’Carroll reports.After the call between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping last week, their first since Trump’s inauguration in January, the US said Xi had agreed to resume shipments of rare earths to the US, breaking the logjam needed for talks to resume. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago US, China trade reps meet in London to discuss rare earth minerals deal

US, China trade reps meet in London to discuss rare earth minerals deal  Fox News

Economics

3 w. ago US seeks deal in London on China rare earth flows, says Trump’s economic advisor

US seeks deal in London on China rare earth flows, says Trump’s economic advisor  The Straits Times

Economics

3 w. ago U.S. pushes to restart rare earth exports in London talks with China (XLK:NYSEARCA)

U.S. pushes to restart rare earth exports in London talks with China (XLK:NYSEARCA)  Seeking Alpha

Politics

3 w. ago US Seeks Deal in London on China Rare Earth Flows, Hassett Says

US Seeks Deal in London on China Rare Earth Flows, Hassett Says  Bloomberg

Economics

3 w. ago Trump Says Xi to Restart Rare Earth Flows, Sets Date for Talks

Trump Says Xi to Restart Rare Earth Flows, Sets Date for Talks  Bloomberg.com

Politics

3 w. ago EU urges China to loosen rare earth curbs as carmakers near crisis point

European trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič raises shortage of vital materials with Chinese commerce minister

Events