China has introduced new measures to strengthen its control over rare earth metals, declaring them state property and implementing a traceability database from October 1. As the world’s largest producer and refiner of these critical resources, China’s actions have significant implications for global supply chains in technology, automotive, and renewable energy sectors. This move, along with previous export restrictions on related technologies and materials, has prompted concerns about potential supply disruptions and sparked efforts by the US and EU to secure alternative sources of rare earth metals to reduce dependence on China.
