G7 Trade Ministers Criticize Rare Earth Export Controls, Pointing Finger at China's Economic Coercion
G7 trade ministers today criticized certain countries for using "economic coercion" through export controls, especially on critical minerals. Although not directly naming China, the criticism clearly targets Beijing's strict control over rare earth exports. The G7 expressed serious concern over such actions disrupting supply chains and undermining economic security and resilience.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 02:32
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Paris, 6th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Group of Seven (G7) trade ministers today criticized certain countries for using "economic coercion" through export controls, especially on critical minerals. Agence France-Presse reported that this criticism clearly targets China.
After a two-day meeting in France, G7 trade ministers issued a statement that, while not directly naming China, clearly referred to Beijing's strict controls on rare earth exports.
The ministers stated: "We are gravely concerned about acts of economic coercion, including threats exerted through export restrictions, which can lead to supply chain disruptions, especially for critical minerals, and whose consequences will further undermine economic security and resilience."
China's rare earth industry holds a dominant position globally; rare earths are indispensable raw materials for products across various fields, from consumer electronics to defense equipment.
China's control over rare earth exports has caused global supply chain instability. Beijing skillfully leveraged this influence last October to reach an agreement with Washington, temporarily halting their fierce trade war.
Although China has resumed rare earth exports, the approval process and supply transfer continue to trouble many foreign companies.
G7 ministers pledged to work with partners not only to reduce reliance on rare earths but also to prevent "acts that attempt to weaponize economic dependence" from succeeding.
The ministers added: "We hope to deter economic coercion and take action when necessary."
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to hold a summit in Beijing next week, and the issue of rare earth supply will be one of the important topics. (Compiled by Chi Chin-ling) 1150507
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(Central News Agency, Paris, 6th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Group of Seven (G7) trade ministers today criticized certain countries for using "economic coercion" through export controls, especially on critical minerals. Agence France-Presse reported that this criticism clearly targets China.
After a two-day meeting in France, G7 trade ministers issued a statement that, while not directly naming China, clearly referred to Beijing's strict controls on rare earth exports.
The ministers stated: "We are gravely concerned about acts of economic coercion, including threats exerted through export restrictions, which can lead to supply chain disruptions, especially for critical minerals, and whose consequences will further undermine economic security and resilience."
China's rare earth industry holds a dominant position globally; rare earths are indispensable raw materials for products across various fields, from consumer electronics to defense equipment.
China's control over rare earth exports has caused global supply chain instability. Beijing skillfully leveraged this influence last October to reach an agreement with Washington, temporarily halting their fierce trade war.
Although China has resumed rare earth exports, the approval process and supply transfer continue to trouble many foreign companies.
G7 ministers pledged to work with partners not only to reduce reliance on rare earths but also to prevent "acts that attempt to weaponize economic dependence" from succeeding.
The ministers added: "We hope to deter economic coercion and take action when necessary."
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to hold a summit in Beijing next week, and the issue of rare earth supply will be one of the important topics. (Compiled by Chi Chin-ling) 1150507
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated instantly.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.