China has proposed establishing a “green channel” to ease the export of “rare earths” to the European Union, the commerce ministry said Saturday, after Beijing restricted their sale abroad.
Beijing has since April required licences to export these strategic materials from China, which accounts for more than 60 percent of rare earth mining production and 92 percent of global refined output, according to the International Energy Agency.
The metals are used in a wide variety of products, including electric car batteries, and there has been criticism from industries about the way China’s licences have been issued.
“Export control on rare earths and other items is an international practice,” the commerce ministry said in a statement.
“China attaches great importance to Europe’s concerns and is willing to establish a green channel for eligible applications, fast track the examination and approval, and instruct the working level to maintain timely communication on this,” a ministry statement said.
The comments were attributed to China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, who met Tuesday with EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic.
UN experts call for global system to trace critical minerals
Reciprocal action
(with AFP)
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