China’s rare earth restrictions halt first auto industry production lines

The auto industries in both the US and Europe could come to a standstill within weeks thanks to China’s ongoing restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals and magnets. Several European car part manufacturers have already halted production lines according to the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA).

China introduced strict export controls on rare earth minerals and magnets in early April as part of its tit-for-tat responses to Donald Trump’s new tariffs. While most of...