The announcement came as trade talks wrapped up in London, with critical minerals high on agenda.

China appears to have offered U.S. and European auto giants something of a reprieve over a rare earth shortage.

The auto industry has been hit particularly hard by China's rare earth export restrictions, but analysts warn Western defense giants are also vulnerable.

A fully integrated rare earth supply chain within the U.S. is doable—with government support and private-sector innovation.

“First we had to get sort of the negativity out and now we can go forward,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters after the meetings.

The announcement came as trade talks wrapped up in London, with critical minerals high on agenda.

Economic superpowers make progress in trade war, ensuring rare earth supply, awaiting final approval from leaders.

Despite Beijing's signal to ease rare earth exports, global supply cutoffs will remain an ever-present threat, experts warned.