China is rolling back rare earth mineral restrictions, White House says

The White House More details were released on Saturday US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached a trade deal earlier this week.

Among other things, the White House said China would suspend A ban on exports of rare earth minerals was announced in OctoberAnd it will “resume issuing general licenses that are valid for the export of rare earths, gallium, germanium, antimony and graphite for the benefit of US users and their suppliers around the world.”

The Trump administration has said it will effectively roll back restrictions on rare earth minerals that China imposed in April 2025 and October 2022.

China is the world’s largest producer of rare earth minerals, which are essential for the production of various technology products. When the Chinese government announced its latest sanctions — which require foreign companies to apply for licenses to export small amounts of those minerals — the Trump administration fired back. Tariffs are an additional 100% threat.

The White House has now said it is ending those 100% tariff plans and suspending other tariffs on Chinese goods for a year.