EU Seeking Clarity on Chinese Suspension of Rare Earth Controls
The EU believes China has suspended its recently announced rare earth export controls for all countries, not just the U.S., but the bloc is still gathering information, European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill told reporters in Brussels Nov. 3.
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“Our understanding is that the Chinese suspension applies to the entire world, or rather the decision to not implement the export controls,” Gill said. “We continue to engage with China to understand the precise modalities of that, but that's our understanding.”
Gill was asked whether the Chinese suspension applies to just its October controls -- which were set to introduce license requirements for overseas exports that contain certain levels of Chinese-origin material (see 2510090021) -- or for export controls over rare earths announced in April. Gill said: “We're engaging with Chinese authorities. I don't have more information to provide at this time.”
Gill’s comments came days after the White House said Beijing agreed to issue general licenses for U.S. customers and their suppliers, which will effectively authorize transactions involving rare earths that would have otherwise required a Chinese export license. The White House also said it’s expecting China to “suspend the global implementation of the expansive new export controls on rare earths and related measures that it announced on October 9, 2025.”