China defends restrictions on rare earth exports as ‘legitimate’, hits back at US tariffs ahead of possible Trump-Xi meeting

China on Sunday defended its new export controls on rare earths as a “legitimate” measure under international law, pushing back against US accusations of economic coercion after Washington announced drastic retaliatory measures and export restrictions.

China’s Commerce Ministry said the controls, issued Oct. 9, were part of Beijing’s efforts to strengthen its export control system and “better safeguard world peace and regional stability” in what it described as a turbulent global security environment.

The measures, which now cover not only rare earth materials but also intellectual property and associated technologies, were announced just weeks before a possible meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

“These controls do not constitute export bans. Applications that meet the requirements will be approved,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce. “China has fully assessed the potential impact of these measures on the supply chain and is confident that this impact will be very limited.”

The ministry said it had informed “relevant countries and regions” through bilateral dialogue mechanisms before unveiling the measures, adding that China remained open to further cooperation on export control practices to “protect the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.”

The announcement made by Beijing on October 9 triggered an immediate response from Washington.

On October 10, Trump announced new 100% tariffs on imports from China, “above and beyond all tariffs currently paid,” effective November 1. Trump also said that on the same date, the United States would also impose export controls on “all critical software.”

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