Če so ZDA začele tehnološko vojno s čipi kot orožjem, je Kitajska tehnološko vojno premaknila še zadolg streljaj bližje k izhodišču – s striktno splošno kontrolo izvoza mineralov redke zemlje, ki bi se lahko uporabili v proizvodnji čipov, orožja ali AI. Kitajska je vmes te ameriške sankcije zaobšla z razvojem lastnih čipov (trajalo je pet let), ZDA pa se bodo zdaj morale lotiti dolgotrajnega in mukotrpnega posla z organiziranjem  celotne verige predelave redkih zemelj in proizvodnje magnetov. Kakšnih deset let lahko traja.

China just weaponized rare earths – again, but this time globally.

Beijing’s new MOFCOM Notice No. 61 (2025) goes far beyond past export bans. It now forces foreign companies to seek Chinese approval before re-exporting any product that contains even 0.1% China-origin rare earth materials or was made using Chinese refining or magnet-making technology.

This is China’s “foreign direct product rule” moment – mirroring Washington’s semiconductor controls but turning them inside out.

The move effectively gives Beijing a veto power over parts of the global chip, EV, and defense supply chains, including those operating outside its territory. Licenses will be denied for military or AI-related uses, notably 14nm chips, 256-layer memory, and military-grade AI systems.

The geopolitical logic is clear: rare earths are now strategic weapons in the tech war. China controls ~70% of refining capacity – and it’s using that dominance to remind Washington, Brussels, and Tokyo that no green or digital transition works without Chinese minerals.

Expect:

• Price surges and supply disruptions across EVs, turbines, and semiconductors.
• Accelerated Western “friend-shoring” efforts with Australia, Vietnam, and Canada.
• Rising BRICS+ leverage as China redirects raw materials to aligned partners.

In short, this isn’t just export control – it’s geo-economic deterrence.

Beijing just signaled: if you restrict our chips, we can restrict your magnets.

Vir: Velina Tchakarova