China has a weapon that could hurt America: Rare earth exports

It has only just begun to use it.

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To win a game of Scrabble, start at the bottom of the periodic table. The 17 "rare earths" that reside there have longish names, such as dysprosium and praseodymium, which are replete with point-worthy letters. They share other traits, too. All are produced and used in minuscule amounts, yet are crucial to a range of high-tech goods, from batteries and renewables to weapons and medical devices. More important still, all are largely supplied to the world by China.

Rare earths are also part of the trade war. On April 4, responding to US President Donald Trump's tariffs, China restricted sales to America of seven rare earths. The move forces producers to apply for export licences. It is not an outright ban, but it could turn into one. China has already imposed such bans on exports of three less rare, but still critical, metals, and tightened controls on others. How damaging would a rare earth embargo be?

History offers clues. Two years ago, China restricted exports of gallium and germanium, which are used in chips, radars and satellites. In December 2024, it banned all exports to America of both metals, as well as antimony, a flame retardant. Since then, prices have rocketed and the global market has fractured. Gallium bought in the West is two to three times dearer than that bought in China, according to Dr Jack Bedder of Project Blue, a consultancy.