Edward White and Harry DempseyJul 9, 2026 – 5.08pmShanghai/Tokyo | Chinese manufacturers that use rare earths are seizing a “historic” opportunity to move up the industrial value chain and squeeze their foreign rivals, as Beijing’s export controls on critical minerals hit their Japanese counterparts.China curbed exports of rare earths to dozens of Japanese companies this year after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks about Tokyo’s role in a hypothetical conflict over Taiwan, expanding restrictions that were already in place.Financial TimesSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Chinese companies use rare earths ban to squeeze out foreign rivals
Previously, Japanese suppliers would import rare earths to make materials and components, which were then sold to Chinese companies to make end products.
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