Latest news with #MEMA
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
China's rare-earth export curbs risk auto production
The automotive industry faces a critical challenge as China's rare-earth export curbs threaten to disrupt global car production. Executives from leading car manufacturers have raised alarms about the potential shortage of rare-earth magnets, vital components in various automotive applications, from windshield-wiper motors to anti-lock braking sensors, reported Reuters. In a letter dated 9 May, the head of a major trade group, representing General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and other key players, addressed the Trump administration officials regarding the severity of the situation. The letter was co-signed by MEMA (Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association), a supplier trade association. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation wrote the Trump administration: "Without reliable access to these elements and magnets, automotive suppliers will be unable to produce critical automotive components, including automatic transmissions, throttle bodies, alternators, various motors, sensors, seat belts, speakers, lights, motors, power steering, and cameras.' The letter warned that US vehicle factories could face disruptions without these essential components. The groups said: "In severe cases, this could include the need for reduced production volumes or even a shutdown of vehicle assembly lines.' Alliance CEO John Bozzella and MEMA CEO Bill Long, in conversations with Reuters on Friday, stressed that the issue remains unresolved and is a significant concern. They thanked the Trump administration for its high-level engagement to prevent disruption to US auto production and the supply chain. Bozzella highlighted that the automotive issue was discussed during talks in Geneva earlier this month between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and their Chinese counterparts. China, which controls over 90% of the global processing capacity for the magnets in question, imposed restrictions in early April that require exporters to obtain licenses from Beijing, a process that has proven complex and opaque. Exports of rare-earth magnets from China halved in April as companies struggled with the licensing process, which sometimes demands hundreds of pages of documentation. President Donald Trump, in a social media post on Friday, accused China of breaching a recent agreement intended to ease tariffs and trade restrictions. In response, China's embassy in Washington claimed it was the US that was misusing export controls, particularly in the semiconductor sector. A US official familiar with the talks informed the news agency that the Geneva discussions only covered tariffs and Chinese non-tariff countermeasures, not US export controls. The official expressed frustration over Beijing's slow pace in issuing rare-earth export licenses, which could trigger retaliatory export control measures from Washington if automakers, vulnerable to mineral shortages, are forced to cease production. While a few licenses have been issued, including to some Volkswagen suppliers, Indian automakers report they have received none and may have to halt production as early as June. German auto parts maker Bosch also indicated this week that its suppliers are struggling with China's stringent procedures for export licenses. "China's rare-earth export curbs risk auto production – report" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
MEMA opens disaster recovery centers for storm relief
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will open 10 disaster recovery centers at noon on Monday, June 2 to serve residents in 11 counties who suffered damage during the March 14-15 storms. President Donald Trump's approval of a Major Disaster Declaration for Mississippi makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Covington, Grenada, Issaquena, Itawamba, Jefferson Davis, Leflore, Marion, Montgomery, Pike, Smith, and Walthall counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the disaster's effects. MDOT advises prepping for 2025 Hurricane Season The Disaster Recovery Centers will open at noon on Monday, June 2 and then move to an 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. schedule at the following locations: Leflore County Leflore County EMA Office 701 US 82, Greenwood, MS 38930 Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – Closed Grenada County Emmanuel Baptist Church 4661 Commerce Street, Grenada, MS 38901 Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – Closed Itawamba County Mantachie Community Center 265 Tishtontee Dr., Mantachie, MS 38855 Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – Closed Walthall County Walthall EOC 908 Amory Drive, Tylertown, MS 39667 Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – Closed Covington County Bobby Mooney Building 1613 South Fir Avenue, Collins, MS 39428 Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – Closed Jefferson Davis County Granby VFD 957 East St. Stephens Road, Prentiss, MS 39474 Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – Closed Issaquena County Mayersville Multipurpose Building 132 Court Street, Mayersville, MS 39113 Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – Closed Marion County Morgantown VFD 1464 Highway 587, Morgantown, MS 39483 Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – Closed Smith County Taylorsville Central Fire Station 200 Eureka Road, Taylorsville, MS 39168 Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – Closed Pike County Silver Creek Baptist Church 8017 Silver Drive, McComb, MS 39648 Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – Closed (Note: This Disaster Recovery Center will close at 5:00 p.m. the week of June 9-14) Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance by registering online at by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired, or by using the FEMA App. Links are available on the and through the MEMA Mobile app. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
MDOT advises prepping for 2025 Hurricane Season
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season will run from June 1 to November 30. The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is reminding residents, businesses and community organizations across South Mississippi to have a preparedness plan in place before a storm threatens the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 'Now is an ideal time to prepare for the 2025 Hurricane Season, before we see a lot of activity in the tropics,' said Commissioner Charles Busby, Southern Transportation District. 'With the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina coming up this year, I cannot over-emphasize the importance of disaster planning and educating yourself on how to evacuate if needed.' NOAA predicts above average 2025 hurricane season: How many storms US could see The 2025 MDOT Hurricane Evacuation Guide features information such as evacuation routes and tips, contraflow information, radio coverage areas through Mississippi Public Broadcasting and important contact information for the Mississippi Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and bordering state DOTs and highway patrols. Information on shelters, pet care, lodging and travel resources is also included. You can download the guide at or order free printed copies at Guides are available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. If a hurricane forces an evacuation along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, evacuation routes will likely see a sudden increase in traffic volume. MDOT officials said drivers should have a plan and allow ample time to get to their destination safely. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Drive
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
The Next Car Production Crisis Could Be Caused by Magnet Shortage
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Our reliance on rare-earth minerals is creating a problem: materials shortages. This time, the much-needed resource is magnets, which currently face export restrictions from China. An alliance of automakers and suppliers warns that without a trade resolution (i.e., less paperwork would help), production disruptions are inevitable. In a new Reuters report, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI) and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) sent a joint letter to the Trump administration on May 9 about the groups' concerns regarding the availability of rare-earth magnets. A key point of frustration was China's seemingly less-than-expedient effort in issuing export licenses. Without the earth elements, already interrupted assembly lines could find themselves in further turmoil. 'Without reliable access to these elements and magnets, automotive suppliers will be unable to produce critical automotive components,' the groups explained. 'In severe cases, this could include the need for reduced production volumes or even a shutdown of vehicle assembly lines.' These vehicle parts include everything from windshield wiper motors, lights, and automatic transmissions to seatbelts, cameras, and anti-lock braking sensors. So, yeah, pretty much everything. And yet, three weeks later, the situation remains unresolved, said Alliance CEO John Bozzella and MEMA CEO Bill Long to Reuters . The AAI comprises a who's who of automotive manufacturers, such as BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Stellantis, Toyota, and Volkswagen. MEMA represents more than 1,000 members (consisting of OE and aftermarket parts suppliers.) Switching to a non-China supplier would also be a significant feat when more than 90% of the planet's rare-earth production capacity, a group of 17 elements, is in China. There is one U.S.-based mine located in Oklahoma, but it still relies on China for processing. E-waste recyclers are working on increasing production, however, such expansion will take years, not days or weeks. Regarding magnets specifically, Reuters says that exports from China were down by half in April, largely due to a vague permit application that sometimes calls for 'hundreds of pages of documents.' Ain't nobody got time for that. Furthermore, the U.S. accused China of violating an agreement that temporarily rolls back certain tariffs and other trade restrictions. In return, China says the U.S. is abusing its export controls within the semiconductor sector. A U.S. official told Reuters that Beijing had promised to issue the rare-earth export licenses, but 'moving slowly' in doing so. And there was potential for Washington retaliation if automotive production were forced to shut down. You know, more than it already has. As the proverb goes, 'When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.' So, here we are, builders and buyers alike, left holding the bag. Got a tip? Drop us a line at tips@
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Kuwait Times
Car makers warn ‘rare-earth curbs could halt production'
China's export restrictions impact global auto production WASHINGTON: Global auto executives are sounding the alarm on an impending shortage of rare-earth magnets from China – used in everything from windshield-wiper motors to anti-lock braking sensors – that could force the closure of car factories within weeks. In a previously unreported May 9 letter to Trump administration officials, the head of the trade group representing General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai and other major automakers raised urgent concerns. 'Without reliable access to these elements and magnets, automotive suppliers will be unable to produce critical automotive components, including automatic transmissions, throttle bodies, alternators, various motors, sensors, seat belts, speakers, lights, motors, power steering, and cameras,' the Alliance for Automotive Innovation wrote the Trump administration. The letter, which also was signed by MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association, added that, without those essential automotive components, it would only be a matter of time before US vehicle factories are disrupted. 'In severe cases, this could include the need for reduced production volumes or even a shutdown of vehicle assembly lines,' the groups said. Both Alliance CEO John Bozzella and MEMA CEO Bill Long told Reuters on Friday the situation was not resolved and remained a concern. They expressed gratitude for the Trump administration's high-level engagement to prevent disruption to US auto production and the supply chain. Bozzella noted that the automotive issue was on the agenda during Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's talks with their Chinese counterparts in Geneva earlier this month. Greer told CNBC on Friday that China had agreed to lift restrictions on the exports of rare-earth magnets to US companies and was not moving fast enough to grant access for key US industries. 'We haven't seen the flow of some of those critical minerals as they were supposed to be doing.' China - which controls over 90 percent of global processing capacity for the magnets used in everything from automobiles and fighter jets to home appliances - imposed restrictions in early April requiring exporters to obtain licenses from Beijing. Rare-earth magnet exports from China halved in April as companies grappled with an opaque application process for permits that sometimes require hundreds of pages of documents. In a social-media post Friday, President Donald Trump accused China of violating terms of a deal reached this month to temporarily dial back tariffs and other trade restrictions. 'China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,' Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. China's embassy in Washington responded by saying it was the US that was abusing export controls in the semiconductor sector. A US official with knowledge of the talks told Reuters that only tariffs and Chinese non-tariff countermeasures were covered in Geneva talks, and that US export controls were not part of the deal. The official also expressed frustration that Beijing appeared to be moving slowly on promises to issue rare-earth export licenses, which could kick start export control retaliation by Washington if automakers vulnerable to shortages of the minerals are forced to halt production. While a handful of licenses have been granted, including to some Volkswagen suppliers, Indian automakers say they still have received none and will have to stop production in early June. German auto parts maker Bosch said this week that its suppliers have been bogged down by China's more-rigorous procedures to receive export licenses. A Bosch spokesperson described the process as 'complex and time-consuming, partly due to the need to collect and provide a lot of information.' — Reuters
