China Lifts Export Controls on Rare Earths, Ends Investigations into US Companies

China announced a significant policy shift with the decision to lift export controls on rare earths and terminate investigations into US companies involved in the rare earths industry. Rare earths, a group of minerals critical in various high-tech industries, have been a focal point of the trade tensions between China and the US. This move is seen as a strategic effort by China to de-escalate the ongoing trade disputes and potentially improve diplomatic relations with the US. The decision to relax export restrictions on rare earths could have far-reaching implications for global supply chains. China is the world’s largest producer…