Depleted German rare-earth and magnet importers await China moves
HAMBURG, Germany -- Germany's importers of rare-earth minerals and magnets are keenly awaiting details after Beijing said last week that it would fast-track approvals of exports to European companies.
Two key importers told Nikkei Asia that Chinese export controls over seven rare earths -- implemented April 4 in retaliation for Washington's wide-ranging trade tariffs -- cut off virtually all supply into Germany for nearly two months. Some companies have exhausted their inventories, given that China has a near-monopoly over those commodities.
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