China Eases Rare Earth Curbs With First Export Licenses
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China has granted its first round of general export licenses for rare earth products, signaling a step toward easing restrictions on the critical materials following recent trade discussions with the United States in Kuala Lumpur.
Jintian Copper (Group) Co. Ltd. (601609.SH), a magnetic materials manufacturer based in Ningbo, said on Wednesday through an investor platform that one of its clients had secured a general export license for rare earth permanent magnet products. On the same day, Ford Motor Co. revealed that its Chinese rare earth supplier was among the initial recipients.
While neither Jintian nor Ford disclosed the specific companies involved, Jintian's website lists Volkswagen AG, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. as customers for its neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets.
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- April 2025：
- China introduced export controls on seven types of medium and heavy rare earths.
- May 2025：
- China's total exports of rare earth permanent magnets fell to fewer than 1,750 tons.
- October 2025：
- China-U.S. trade talks took place in Kuala Lumpur, reaching an agreement relevant to rare earth export controls.
- October 2025：
- China exported 5,473 tons of rare earth permanent magnets, a 15.8% year-on-year increase; shipments to the U.S. jumped 56.1% month-on-month to 656 tons.
- November 7, 2025：
- China announced the suspension for one year of certain export controls on rare earths and high-end lithium batteries.
- November 10, 2025：
- The U.S. suspended an interim rule that would have tightened export controls on entities with 50% Chinese ownership.
- December 4, 2025：
- China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong stated that all compliant export applications for civilian use were promptly approved.
- December 8, 2025：
- U.S. President Donald Trump announced conditional approval for Nvidia Corp. to sell its H200 chips to China and other designated nations.
- December 10, 2025：
- Jintian Copper(Group) Co. Ltd. announced one of its clients secured a general export license for rare earth permanent magnet products; Ford revealed its Chinese rare earth supplier was among the initial recipients.
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