EU, China to hold ‘urgent’ talks on rare earth curbs

EU and Chinese officials agreed to meet in Brussels for “urgent” talks on China’s export controls on rare earths, EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said after speaking with his Chinese counterpart on Tuesday.

China, the world’s leading producer of the minerals that make magnets vital for the auto, electronics and defense industries, this month announced new controls on exports of rare earth technologies.

“I appreciate today’s constructive discussion, where we agreed to intensify contacts at all levels,” Sefcovic said after a nearly two-hour video call with China’s Wang Wentao. he said.
“I invited Chinese officials to Brussels in the coming days to find urgent solutions. Minister Wang Wentao accepted this invitation,” Sefcovic told reporters at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. he said.

The European Union says Chinese restrictions have forced some companies in the bloc to halt production and caused economic damage.

Sefcovic called the export controls “unfair and harmful.” Brussels had been coordinating with G7 partners on the response to China’s restrictions, but Sefcovic said the EU had “no intention of escalating tensions”.

Sefcovic said, “However, this situation casts a shadow on our relationship. Therefore, an urgent solution is very important.” he said.