While geopolitical tensions continue and rare earths supply chain vulnerabilities deepen, the United States is quietly redrawing the global map of critical mineral sourcing, and Australia seems to be emerging as a cornerstone. The latest development on this front is the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) issuing a letter of interest to fund up to US […]
Tag: rare earths
Rare Earths MMI: U.S. Rare Earth Strategy: What’s Behind the Latest Moves?
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways from September to October, rising by 2.13%. Over the last two weeks, U.S. officials have signaled a decisive shift in how they secure critical minerals. Analysts have taken note of large global rare earths projects aimed at diversifying away from Chinese dominance, which currently accounts for […]
World Takes First Steps in Breaking China’s Stranglehold on Rare Earth Magnets Supply
Resource security when it comes to rare earth magnets is something the modern-day world has been desperately trying to get right. This is primarily due to rare earths’ increasing importance in electronics, defense, vehicles, and much more. For years, countries have been seeking ways to secure access to these vital resources. However, 90% of the […]
China Lifts Rare Earth Export Curbs On India
In a move with far-reaching implications for global supply chains and global diplomacy, China has lifted its export restrictions on rare earths to India. The monumental decision also includes key commodities like fertilizers and tunnel boring machines, and follows high-level talks between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who […]
Rare Earths MMI: Rare Earth Metals Market in Flux as U.S. Intervenes and Prices Rise
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, rising a modest 0.37%. Overall, the global rare earth metals market has seen a whirlwind of developments in the past few weeks, sending ripples through both supply chains and pricing. A series of U.S. and Chinese policy moves, from Washington’s unprecedented price support for rare earth […]
Automotive MMI: Automakers Scramble as Rare Earths Crunch and Tariffs Impact Supply Chains
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways month-over-month, dropping by 0.70%. This comes as auto industry executives in the U.S. are confronting a whirlwind of trade and supply chain disruptions, not to mention the effects of the recent round of Trump tariffs. In the past month alone, high-stakes U.S.–China trade talks, critical mineral export […]
Rare Earths MMI: Prices Stabilize, but Supply Chains Still Disrupted by China’s New RE Restrictions
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) found more price stability month-over-month. As a result, it moved sideways, with only a 0.81% increase. Despite this, the short-term outlook for rare earths remains uncertain. Chinese export restrictions jolted prices in H1 of 2025 and fractured long-running supply lines. Shortly after, global automakers warned that Beijing’s April […]
Rare Earth Truce or Trap? China’s Grip Still Chokes Global Supply
With the United States and China ratcheting down the tariff war (for 90 days at least), many expected that the export of rare earths and permanent magnets would soon return to pre-trade war conditions, as MetalMiner’s weekly newsletter weighed in on in the past. However, that does not seem to be happening on the ground. […]
Rare Earths MMI: Ukraine and U.S. Strike Critical Minerals Deal
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) witnessed a significant rise in price action month-over-month, with a total increase of 7.67%. So far, the global rare earths market has been on a springtime rollercoaster. Between April 1 and May 2, 2025, prices for these critical elements saw abrupt swings, supply chains were tested by geopolitics […]
Is China Using Rare Earths as Its Most Powerful Trade Weapon Yet?
China is once again weaponizing rare earths elements in the tariff war with the United States. According to media reports, China recently suspended the export of certain rare earth minerals, ostensibly while re-drafting the regulations covering such exports. MetalMiner’s weekly newsletter states that if the issue is not resolved soon, both the halt in rare […]