Rare earths: China demands confidential data from companies for export permits

According to the FT, the Department of Commerce's guidelines for dual-use exports, i.e. goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, may also require companies to provide images of products and facilities or details of previous business relationships.

China's rare earths are indispensable

China dominates the market for rare earths and their processing, for example in the production of magnets. These are widely used in electronics, electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and defense applications such as fighter jets.