5 h. 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 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

2 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

2 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

2 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

2 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

2 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

2 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 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