China’s Year-Long Rare Earths Truce Offers Near-Term Relief (3)

China paused plans for a dramatic expansion of its rare-earths export controls, offering relief to global buyers after a tumultuous year and giving major economies more time to grapple with Beijing’s grip on the industry.

Export controls announced on Oct. 9, which had added to existing curbs, will be suspended for one year, China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement, after Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a trade truce at a meeting in Seoul.

Rare earths have been in focus for months since Beijing moved to use its dominance over the niche but vital materials to ...