‘희토류 지배력’ 누리는 중국…협상 앞 미국엔 더 주기, 냉랭한 일본엔 안 주기

China is increasing its export of rare earth elements to the United States, while continuing to restrict supplies to Japan, according to Reuters. The move is being used as a leverage point in negotiations between China and the United States, while serving as a pressure tactic against Japan. On July 21, Reuters cited data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, reporting that China exported 29 tons of yttrium oxide to the United States in July.

This is the second-largest export in a monthly basis since China began controlling the export of rare earth elements in April last year. The United States and China are heavily dependent on Chinese supplies for their aerospace and semiconductor industries. Reuters reported in February that some companies in North America had to halt production of products requiring cooling coatings and reject customer orders due to a severe supply shortage, with yttrium prices surging to nearly 69 times their level a year earlier.

China's July exports of rare earth magnets were 647 tons, the second-largest since export controls were introduced. However, the gap between the countries was evident, with imports to Japan dropping 52.2% compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, U.S. imports rose by 4.6%, and those to South Korea increased by 19.3%. Japan, the world's largest producer of high-performance magnets, relies heavily on Chinese raw materials.

Despite this, Japan's dependence on Chinese resources for dysprosium and terbium, essential for high-performance magnets, poses a challenge. Countries are trying to counter China's weaponization of resources, with China's increase in rare earth exports to the United States ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit to the U.S. in late September, and continued restrictions on Japan as part of a calculated use of China's rare earth dominance in diplomatic maneuvers.