China is known for the rare mineral weapon in the face of Trump

China has expanded the use of very important minerals as a commercial weapon by drafting restrictions on rare mineral exports, threatening to make a fundamental change in world supplies of the major materials widely used in high -tech industries that include electric vehicles and weapons. As part of his response to mutual customs duties imposed by President Donald Trump on imported Chinese goods, Beijing announced on Friday that he would emphasize control of the export of seven types of rare land minerals. China is, undeniably the largest global source of rare minerals consisting of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table. The impact of stock markets restrictions This step on Monday led to a significant increase in shares of businesses involved, as the share of “China rare rare Earth Holdings” in Hong Kong increased. The shares of the “China North North Rare Earth” rose 9.2%, and the Australian company “Lynas Rare Earth” by 5.1%. According to the US geological survey, China is about 70% of the world’s production of rare soil minerals. China’s control over a group of specialized commodities has long been considered a possible geopolitical weapon, in light of America’s dependence on Chinese supplies. Over the past two years, Beijing has imposed similar restrictions on other important minerals such as gallium, ratmanium, graphite and antimon in the light of the increase in trade tensions. The new restrictions on exports are not a comprehensive ban, but this means that any deliveries abroad will be subject to greater investigations into those who buy it, and the reasons for purchasing it. Other minerals have seen that a sharp decrease in exports becomes zero after they have applied restrictions, as exporters need time to obtain ratification. The impact of restrictions on global supplies, analysts of “Citic Securities”, wrote: “New restrictions can lead to the tightening of global supplies.” The policy “protects the national security services of China and increases the strategic value of investment in the rare mineral industry chain.” The list of rare minerals announced on Friday includes Samarium, Cadolinium, Turbo, Disprosium, Lutetium, Alexandem and Etrium. But two of the most common mineral conemium and baciodimium were not included in the list. It is used in strong magnets that are one of the most popular applications for rare minerals. “Unlike the seven rare minerals selected, these mineral is easier to make out of China, which can make any restrictions less effective. They are excluded to maintain the option to draw up restrictions in the future.” Exports on exports will not impair the stability of the international supply chain, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Association of Non -Syrony Minerals in China. The Industrial Association said: “As long as companies do not participate in activities that impair China’s national sovereignty, safety and development interests, export controls will not affect their commercial and regular operations.” The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Friday that setting restrictions on the SO -Nowner double -mentioned elements that have military applications is in the interests of national security, regional stability and world peace.