Germany Pushes for Rare-Earths Access at Talks in Beijing (1)

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil began his high-stakes visit to Asia by calling on China to facilitate “reliable access” to critical raw materials such as rare earths, warning that “unjustified” export curbs are dangerous for the world economy.

After discussions in Beijing with Vice Premier He Lifeng, Klingbeil said he had received assurances that German and European concerns about Chinese export restrictions on critical materials “will be taken seriously.”

“I made it clear that we need reliability and stability for German and European companies, and that the unjustified application of export controls poses a serious threat to the global ...