China’s rare earth exports rise, shipments to US fall

Chinese exports of rare earth magnets rose 8.2% from a year earlier in the first two months of 2026, customs data showed on Friday, although shipments to the US dipped.

Exports from the world’s largest producer of rare earth magnets, which are used in everything from cellphones to automobiles to the defence sector, stood at 10,763 metric tons between January and February, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

Germany, South Korea, the US, Vietnam and France were China’s top five rare earth magnet export destinations between January and February.

Exports to the US slid 22.5% from a year earlier to 994 tons in January and February, although month-to-month data can be volatile.

The White House on Wednesday confirmed that US President Donald Trump’s upcoming trip to China to meet with President Xi Jinping had been delayed. It was later revealed that the trip would be postponed by about a month and a half.

Exports to Japan rose by 9.5% to 444 tons during the same period despite China blocking exports to some military and industrial companies.

China placed several rare earths and associated magnets on an export control list in April. Exports of many types have risen steadily since then, although niche elements like yttrium, used in defence and aerospace, remain tightly controlled.

China exported 20 tons of yttrium oxide and other yttrium compounds in February, the largest monthly volume since controls were imposed in April, although they were still below 2024 levels.

(By Amy Lv and Lewis Jackson; Editing by Jamie Freed)