China is using its dominance in rare earths as a bargaining chip in its trade negotiatons with the US and the EU. As of last year, it controlled 60 to 70 percent of global rare earth mining production and more than 90 percent of processing capacity. Tokyo on Monday said that rare earths have been found in sediment from ocean depths of 6,000m. To promote mining, processing and manufacturing of rare earths in India’s eastern and southern states, New Delhi has listed rare earths alongside semiconductors as a strategic sector. Taiwan, which has limited access to domestic rare earths, imports 90 percent of its supplies, with 95 percent of that from China.

Source: Taipei Times February 03, 2026 18:14 UTC