China shipped 29 metric tons of yttrium oxide to the United States in July, the second-largest monthly volume since Beijing imposed export controls on rare earths in April 2025. The increase follows a broader trend of elevated shipments of rare earth permanent magnets, with 647 tons sent to the U.S. last month—the second-highest monthly figure since the restrictions took effect.
The surge in yttrium exports comes ahead of planned trade discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. counterparts, with Xi’s visit to the White House scheduled for September. Analysts note the timing may reflect Beijing’s efforts to stabilize supply chains critical to U.S. industries, particularly aerospace manufacturers reliant on yttrium for engine components and high-temperature coatings.
China’s rare earth sector remains a focal point of global supply chains, with Beijing controlling the majority of global production. The country has previously leveraged export restrictions as a diplomatic tool, most notably in November 2024 when it largely halted shipments of yttrium, terbium, gallium, and dysprosium to Japan amid diplomatic tensions. Those restrictions followed remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.
July also marked the ninth consecutive month without dysprosium oxide exports to Japan and the eighth month without terbium oxide shipments, underscoring the sustained impact of China’s trade measures on key industrial inputs.
