Japan firms seek to ease China rare earth metals curbs
A group representing Japanese businesses in China says it has made proposals to Beijing to ease restrictions on their exports of rare earth metals.
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China said on Monday it presented the proposals to the commerce ministry on May 28.
China provides more than half the rare earth metals Japan needs for the production of motors for EVs and electronics.
The proposals include speeding up screening processes and strengthening ties between China's central government and local authorities engaged in export operations.
The business group says the Chinese side indicated it would try to make business smoother and that exports of some products are beginning to get approval.
Beijing announced blanket export controls on rare earth metals in April as part of its retaliation against US tariffs.
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