Catenaa, Monday, July 21, 2025- China’s exports of rare earth magnets to the United States soared more than sevenfold in June, rebounding sharply after new trade agreements eased restrictions on the critical materials used in electric vehicles and renewable energy.
According to China’s General Administration of Customs, exports to the U.S. reached 353 metric tons last month, marking a 660% increase from May.
The surge followed bilateral pacts reached in June to resolve disruptions in rare earth supply chains that had rattled global industries.
China, which supplies over 90% of the world’s rare earth magnets, had placed new export restrictions on certain materials in April as a response to U.S. tariffs. The move led to a steep drop in exports through May, delaying shipments and straining production for automakers and green energy sectors outside China.
The rebound is expected to continue, with analysts predicting stronger export volumes in July as more Chinese exporters secured licenses in June. Still, the June shipments were 38.1% lower than the same month a year earlier, highlighting the market’s ongoing volatility.
Globally, China exported 3,188 tons of rare earth magnets in June, up 157.5% from May. Despite the recent spike, total first-half 2025 exports stood at 22,319 tons, down nearly 19% year-on-year.
The rare earth breakthrough also coincided with news that U.S. chipmaker Nvidia will resume AI chip sales to China, signaling broader trade normalization.
