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China extends suspension of new rare earth controls until January
Reuters • • nation
Key Points:
- China has announced a two-month extension of export-control waivers, originally set to expire this month, maintaining part of a trade agreement made after a summit between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.
- The export controls, initially introduced in April 2025 and expanded in October 2025 to include rare earths, diamonds with industrial applications, and lithium battery technology, were paused for one year following a November summit in South Korea.
- The Ministry of Commerce stated the waiver pause will now continue until January 10, without providing further details.
- This extension is part of a larger suspension of trade countermeasures and tariffs by China amid ongoing negotiations with the U.S. for a lasting trade deal.
- President Trump is scheduled to attend the APEC leaders summit in Shenzhen later this month, where he is expected to meet with President Xi Jinping.
