How China’s new rare-earth export controls target the Pentagon—and the world

By Tye Graham and Peter W. Singer – Defense One

Global markets received an unwelcome jolt in April when the Chinese government began to require pre-approval for exports of medium and heavy rare-earth elements. Official statements and state-linked commentators have since made clear that this new export-license system is designed to increase Beijing’s leverage over Pentagon supply chains. It may, in fact, become a signature tool of great power competition.