Beijing’s manipulation of uncertainty over rare-earth exports serves as a potent coercive tool against Tokyo, with experts warning of further economic retaliation despite ongoing efforts to reduce dependence.
A spokesperson for China’s commerce ministry said at a press conference on May 28 that placing 20 Japanese entities on China’s export control list and another 20 on a watch list was a response to what it alleged was Japan’s “remilitarization.”
The spokesperson was referring to a measure issued on Feb. 24 that tightens restrictions on the export of rare earths and other critical materials to Japan.
China’s rare-earth permanent magnet exports to Japan grew 2.5 percent in April from March, Chinese customs figures published on May 20 show. That uptick followed March’s steep 17.3 percent decline….
Beijing Set to Prolong Rare-Earth Curbs, Economic Retaliation Against Tokyo: Analysts
