China is no longer content to play the rare earth card alone. Beijing is rolling out a new wave of export controls that extend beyond rare earth elements to target additional strategic materials and technologies critical to US advanced manufacturing, defense, and technology sectors.
From rare earths to a wider net
The US kicked off its own export restrictions back in 2022, targeting advanced semiconductors and manufacturing equipment to limit China’s military and AI capabilities. China’s initial counterpunch came through rare earth export controls, with restrictions on REEs and magnets rolling out in April and October of 2025.
Now that response is maturing into something more comprehensive. Licensing requirements, which were already a headache for rare earth buyers, are now spreading to additional product categories.
The practical impact is already showing up in negotiations. Talks between companies like SpaceX and Chinese solar technology firms have reportedly stalled due to the newly imposed constraints.
