BERLIN

Germany said on Friday it was “concerned” over China’s rare earth export restrictions, imposing limits on processing and manufacturing technologies and prohibiting cooperation with foreign companies without prior government authorization.

We have repeatedly expressed “our concern” over the rare earth export control; however, we are in “intensive discussions to find an appropriate solution,” said Economic Ministry deputy spokesman Tim-Niklas Wentzel at a press briefing in Berlin.

Germany is reportedly very dependent on China for raw materials, particularly critical minerals like rare earths, graphite, and lithium, which are essential for high-tech industries such as electric vehicles and electronics.

This reliance poses significant economic risks, as evidenced by recent Chinese export controls that have heightened concerns about supply chain disruptions and potential production stoppages in Germany.

In response, the German government is exploring strategies to increase its raw material resilience, including diversifying international partnerships, boosting domestic processing, and recycling efforts.

Meanwhile, Wentzel also welcomed China’s latest decision to suspend the current rare earth export restrictions against the US for a year following a meeting between American President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, in South Korea.

“This is the first good sign of easing tensions in the conflict between the USA and China,” Wentzel said.

Beijing said it would “suspend the implementation of relevant export control measures announced on Oct. 9 for one year and will study and refine specific plans.”

It added that it will make "corresponding adjustments" to its countermeasures against US tariffs, adding that both sides have agreed to continue extending certain tariff exclusion measures.​​​​​​​