US Urges China to Resume Rare Earth Exports to Japan; China Evades Answer and Repeats Anti-Japan Rhetoric

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 9) In response to Japanese media reports that the Trump administration is urging China to resume rare earth exports to Japan, and that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed concern to Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in May, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian today avoided media questions and repeated the old rhetoric that the relevant ban is to "stop Japan's attempts at remilitarization and nuclear possession."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry held a regular press conference in the afternoon. According to a report by the Beijing Daily, Lin Jian made the above remarks in response to questions from foreign media.

Lin Jian said, "For specific details, it is recommended to inquire with the competent authorities in China." He stated that China, "in accordance with laws and regulations," prohibits the export of all dual-use items to Japanese military users, for military purposes, and to any other end-users or uses that "contribute to enhancing Japan's military capabilities," with the aim of "stopping Japan's attempts at remilitarization and nuclear possession."

Nikkei Asia reported today that the Trump administration is urging China to resume rare earth exports to Japan, as the US is increasingly concerned about the dwindling global supply of Japanese high-tech products made with these critical raw materials.

The report, citing multiple US and Japanese diplomatic sources, said that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed concern about China's export restrictions on rare earths to Japan during a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in May, and the US side demanded that China prevent disruption to the global supply chain of high-tech products.

The report mentioned that China's export restrictions on Japan were also discussed during the G7 finance ministers' meeting in May. A senior US government official said the issue would also be on the agenda of the G7 leaders' summit to be held in France from June 15 to 17.

The report said Japan's continued lack of rare earths could affect the US economy. Japan is a leading producer of advanced medical diagnostic equipment, and any disruption in supply between Japan and China could make it more difficult for the US to obtain such equipment.

US diplomatic sources did not reveal how China responded to the US request. A Japanese diplomatic source said China has not reduced its pressure on Japan since then, and Japan needs to continue coordinating with the US and strengthen diplomatic negotiations with the Chinese government.

After Japanese Prime Minister Takayuki Sanae made a statement about a "Taiwan contingency" in November 2025, China took multiple countermeasures against Japan, including tightening controls on the export of dual-use items to Japan, covering more than 1,000 items including rare earths. In March and April of this year, China's rare earth exports to Japan plummeted by 88% and 82% respectively compared to the same period last year. (Editor: Qiu Guoqiang / Chen Huiping) 1150609