Germany criticises China curbs on rare-earth exports
BERLIN : Germany's foreign minister Thursday criticised China over its 'unilateral and often not very transparent' export restrictions on rare earths, warning they were harming ties between the world's third- and second-biggest economies.
Beijing has since April required licences to export the strategic materials, which are used in a wide variety of products from electric car batteries to hard drives.
Foreign minister Johann Wadephul, speaking at a news conference alongside Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Berlin, said the curbs were of 'great concern' to German businesses.
'This uncertainty is damaging our trade relations and also damaging China's image in Germany as a reliable trading partner overall,' he said.
Wang, who is on a tour of Europe, insisted that rare earths were 'dual-use goods' with civilian and military applications, which meant their export needed to be controlled, adding, 'This is part of our sovereignty.'
China, which is seeking to improve relations with the EU as a counterweight to the US, has proposed establishing a 'green channel' to ease the export of rare earths to the bloc, its commerce ministry said last month.
The curbs have caused concern among businesses worldwide, as China accounts for almost two-thirds of rare earth mining production and 92% of global refined output, according to the International Energy Agency.
Wadephul also expressed concern about Beijing's links to Russia's war in Ukraine, cautioning against the 'delivery of goods that are also important for the war effort'.
But Wang responded, 'We are striving for peace and negotiation. We are not supplying lethal weapons to the parties involved in the conflict.'
Ukraine war tensions
China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in Russia's more than three-year war with Ukraine.
But Western governments say Beijing's close ties have given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support, including by failing to stop the flow of goods that can be used by Russia in its offensive.
Beijing and Berlin have long had close ties, particularly on the economic front, with the Chinese market becoming a key destination for Germany's industrial titans.
Thursday's visit marked Wang's first trip to Germany since a conservative-led government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz took power in May.
During his Europe trip, which also takes him to France and EU headquarters in Brussels, Wang is seeking to present China as a steady counterweight to the US under President Donald Trump.
Wadephul also emphasised cooperation with China was important, saying Berlin and Berlin had to cooperate to try to solve the many 'international challenges' they were facing.
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